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Anita HumbleAnita Rae Lawrence Humble, of Tualatin, Oregon, died Thursday, July 26, 2012, at her home. She was 55.Anita was born September 2, 1956, to Vernon and Marcella (Lavin) Lawrence in Brookings, South Dakota. She had three sisters, Deborah, Julie and Mary, and three brothers, Vernon Jr., Tom and Chad. They all adore and miss her so.Anita attended Central School in Brookings before the family moved to its farm in rural Estelline, S.D. She then attended Estelline Elementary School and graduated from Estelline High School in 1974.Anita's love of life, her bright smile and loud laugh were a constant presence in her family's life. She helped keep the house spotless, played sports and board games with her siblings and helped her dad pull a calf to ensure it was born safely. Anita's joy and energy were endless and she shared love and humor with her family and friends.She was especially close with her cousin Kim Sundet and they played and laughed together for years.She attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D., and the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D., for a year each. At USD, she starred in the play ""I Never Saw Another Butterfly.""Anita worked as a traveling shopper/store detective for JC Penney's with her sister Debbie. They visited numerous states and enjoyed the travel and the opportunity to expand their horizons.Anita moved to Reno, Nevada, in 1978, where she worked for Penney's. She was never a big gambler, but she hit the jackpot in love, when she met Richard Humble of Gresham, Oregon, in Reno. They fell in love and decided to share their lives together.They were a true couple, laughing and loving together. They were always together and were a great team.Anita and Richard married on March 13, 1982, in Estelline, South Dakota. The wedding was at the Trinity Lutheran Church, which Anita had attended as a girl.The pair moved to Portland in January 1983. They operated a printing business before Anita took a position with Benjamin Franklin Savings and Bank of America, both in Portland.She loved her work at both jobs and was considered a model employee. She was a fierce advocate of the value of hard work and encouraged others to meet her high standards.Anita was a pretty, vibrant, stylish woman who loved the color pink, scarves, and coordinated outfits. She always looked amazing.Anita and Richard were blessed with two daughters: Katie, October 16, 1990 and Mackenzie on December 26, 1992.These two girls were their mother's pride and joy. She adored time with them and cared for them, played with them and taught them to be like their mother: Smart, good, kind and loving.She cuddled them in her arms, cheered for them as they competed, and encouraged them to grow and thrive. The quality young women they are today was the happiest accomplishment of Anita's life.Anita wasn't perfect and that was so perfect about her. She was fiery and had a strong will. Her opinions were deeply felt and always correct -- you just had to ask her. Her magnificent strength and courage stood her well as she battled the breast cancer that entered her life in 1994. It was a cruel and persistent foe, but in Anita, it found an adversary who was as equally devoted to success.It knocked her down, stripped her of her gorgeous hair and caused her countless painful hours and days. Cancer came at Anita time and time and again. Still, for almost 18 years, she fought it to a standstill.She amazed doctors and caregivers with her resolve to remain standing and caring her for daughters and husband. Anita inspired her family, friends and the people she met along that path and her legacy will continue to do so.It's important to know cancer did not win the final battle. Anita would never accept losing and she didn't in this case, either. Her vibrancy and upbeat nature made her a forever champion. In the end, in her Oregon home, surrounded by love and the life she created, she moved on, headed to a world we can only imagine and wonder about. She joined her dear mother and will await the others who love her to join them in God's Eternal Kingdom.Anita's deep and heartfelt faith sustained her through many of her hard fought battles. She honestly felt an angel was on her shoulder and God had a plan for her. All who were warmed by her love, spirit, and smile thank the Lord for sharing her with us. Anita steadfastly believed in the power of positive thinking, and encouraged all she knew to visualize and work towards a brighter future for themselves.Anita was preceded in death by her mother, Marcella Elizabeth Lavin Lawrence, on Jan. 7, 1995.She is survived by her father Vernon, her husband, Richard, her daughters, Katie and Mackenzie, her sisters Debbie Lopardo, Julie Lawrence and Mary Lawrence-Thompson, her brothers Vern Lawrence, Tom and Chad, and countless relatives and friends.

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Anita Rae Humble (Lawrence)

September 2, 1956 - July 26, 2012