“We will always miss her energy and passion for life.” ~ family of Anita Damien
Longtime Little Silver resident Anita Rosa Damien passed away peacefully in her sleep on Oct. 7, surrounded by those she loved. She was 95.
Born in Palma Soriano, Cuba on July 26, 1929 to Miguel Damien Chediak and Rosa Cremati, she was the daughter of Lebanese immigrants. Anita grew up in pre-revolutionary Cuba and was always motivated to be the leader of any group in which she participated.
She attended and graduated from law school at the University of Havana concurrently with a more infamous Cuban, Fidel Castro. She had children after graduation and postponed legal practice to raise her four children.
In 1962 her family had obtained permits to depart Cuba for the United States. Unfortunately, her husband, physician Natalio, was detained at the airport and unable to leave Cuba. Anita and her four children boarded a plane to Miami. She survived this experience, as a single mom with four children in a Miami refugee apartment, with the help of Americans and fellow residents. Her husband eventually escaped to begin his medical career in the U.S..
She was predeceased by her husband Natalio, daughter Ana Margarita (Any) and her sisters Lourdes Zeik and Teresa Chaviano. She is survived by her sister Adela Silver, sons Miguel, Natalio Jr., and Javier; daughters-in-law Eve, Robyn and Karen, and; grand-children Michael, Natalie, Sabrina, and Nicholas. She also left behind many nieces and nephews who shared intimately in her life.
Anita never became despondent despite many challenges in her life. She always just solved the problem and moved on. This was reflected in her ability to sacrifice her life in Cuba as Communism engulfed the island. She was ready to begin a new life with no belongings nor resources. She was forced to say good-bye to her only daughter, but yet managed to love her sons and support their growth to become men. She provided fortitude to her husband who became a successful and loved physician in Red Bank. She also loved to care for her garden which was much admired by her children, grand-children, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at John E. Day Funeral home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, on Thursday Oct.10, from 6 to 9 p.m.. A service is set for Saturday, Oct. 12, at 9:30 a.m. at Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Chapel Hill Road, Middletown. In lieu of flowers donate to Fulfill, the local food bank.
— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home
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