Anita Staten

Anita Staten, 70, died this past week at home from complications associated with Lewy Body Dementia.

Left behind to mourn her loss are her husband of nearly 40 years, Ed Shipman. Her sister, Linda Staten and Linda's daughter Sophie . Her stepchildren, Melissa Stevens and Eddie Shipman and their families. Her Shipman brothers and sisters in law and their families. Then there is Molly. The little beagle that helped hold everything together the past several years.

Anita was born in St. Louis to Lee and Thula Ann (Taylor) Staten. They moved to the city of Affton in South St. Louis County during her kindergarten year. She attended St. George Elementary School, Cor Jesu Academy, and graduated from UMKC with a degree in botany.

She was employed by the IRS and the USPS. She worked as a floral and window designer and at the Deanna Rose Farmstead. Anita was also a Critter Sitter. She spent a good deal of time buying and selling collectibles at sales, the Swap and Shop, the Jeff William's Flea Market and on Ebay.

Anita loved plants and animals. Her gardens were diverse and had a natural appearance. There were lots of pets. There were cats and dogs, turtles and rabbits, geese and guinea pigs. and more. All were rescued from the streets, shelters or bad situations. She set out to solve the feral cat problem in our neighborhood and captured 13 cats and paid to have them spayed/neutered. The final feral, Betsy, finally succumbed to Anita’s comforting touch after 14 years and just weeks before the cat's death.

She loved to travel. There was no one better at planning trips on a shoestring budget. A family baseball trip through the midwest, that I feared would be more of a National Lampoon Vacation, turned out spectacularly. From Niagara Falls to the Everglades to San Diego to Vancouver Island and many points in between, traveling with Anita was a joy. Whether blessing ourselves with the holy water at Notre Dame Cathedral, visiting Kew or Butchart Gardens, visiting Stonehenge at dusk ,or taking a ghost tour at the Missouri Penitentiary, spending time on the road with Anita and enjoying her repartee was special. Special thanks to Anita's friend/companion Melody for helping hold things together these past few year. To her friend Barb, whose calls and cards and texts helped comfort and lift our spirits. To KC Hospice and especially Cappi. We are so grateful for her knowledge, empathy, and the respect she showed for Anita.

To honor Anita, do something kind for an animal in need. At Anita's request, there will be no services.