Anita Marie McFarlane passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025, with family by her side after a short but courageous battle with ovarian cancer, in her beloved city of Chicago where she called home for 50 years.

Anita was born in Superior, WI to Kenneth and Virginia (Gucinski) McFarlane on Oct. 25, 1952. She was the middle child of three close-knit sisters whose love and bond were felt from birth to the present by everyone in their lives.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Ken and Virg, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, brother-in-law Butch Venne, and a special boy, "Little Johnny", whom she graciously loved being a "Big Sister" to during his childhood years of illness. She is survived by older sister, Nancy Venne, and younger sister Mary (Jim) Hartwig, nephew Greg (Erin) Venne and their children Ryan and Maria, and nephew Bob (Pam) Venne, in addition to several close cousins and friends.

Anita attended St. Anthony, Cathedral High School, and Superior High School (1970), and UW-Stout (1974) before moving to the Windy City. Anita settled into Chicago quickly and worked for Arthur Andersen LLP, Sealy Corporation, Kuczmarski & Associates, and finally First Analysis Corp., where she retired in 2018.

The world has lost an amazing soul. She was so full of life, love, laughter and generosity. She truly never met a stranger, opening the kindness of her heart to family and friends, coworkers and literally strangers every day of her fruitful life. Anita gave so much of her personal time and charitable contributions to many organizations that she volunteered with throughout Chicago. Anita was always active in book clubs, social clubs, dinner clubs, cross-country skiing, tennis, pickleball, and bikeathons among other health activities. She loved the Cubs, Concerts in the Park, and attending many plays and shows that Chicago had to offer. Anita loved to travel, experiencing the beauty that the world had to offer. She loved it when people could come and visit her as she was often referred to as Chicago's unofficial tour guide, planning out specific landmarks to see that would interest her visitors. She cherished attending and hosting parties with friends and coworkers, always willing to help with the festivities in any way possible. Her generosity was like no other; never forgetting birthdays and anniversaries, sending thoughtful gifts just because, or making up a homemade dish and by any means possible hand delivering it to show how much she cared for and loved the people who were blessed enough to have Anita be a part of their lives.

She's an angel that will forever be missed by many.

Visitation will be on March 15, 2025, at 9am at the National Shrine of St Frances Xavier Cabrini in Chicago, 2520 N Lakeview Ave, Chicago, IL, with a funeral service following at 11am and a reception onsite immediately following the service.

Memorials in Anita's name can be made to The Night Ministry in Chicago, IL (thenightministry.org), Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (ocrahope.org), and St. Anthony's Church in Superior, WI.