Anita Cecelia McFarland was born on March 2, 1935 in Glasgow, Scotland to Joseph and Hannah Pontremoli. She had two younger brothers she loved dearly- Joseph Pontremoli (deceased) and Robert Jeffrey (Tacoma, WA). She lived in England during World War II, seeing her share of hard times like war rations and air raids. Eventually Anita moved back to Scotland and attended trade school, enabling her to be a bookkeeper and accountant for several businesses at various times in her life. She often would speak of the good grades she received in school and say that her kids got their intellect from her! Cheeky Monkey!
She was married in June, 1954 to Robert Manseth, from Eugene, OR, who was in the United States Army Air Corp stationed in Scotland. Together they had three children, Gail (born in Scotland), Ronald (born in London), and Lisa (born in Oregon). The family moved to the United States in 1957, first living in Detroit and then settling on the Oregon coast where they developed a business together.
In 1972, they divorced and Anita soon met the love of her life, Robert McFarland, with whom she would spend the next 30 years. They lived in San Diego, Tampa, Seattle, before ending their "gypsy" ways and settling in a city they both loved-Portland, Oregon.
They loved to travel and experience the world, which they did through 19 cruises and frequent trips to exotic places such as Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, the Holy Land, China, Australia, and Russia. One adventure was traveling the United States by motor home. Her husband Bob conducted marine sales training seminars he called "workshops". He said while he worked, Anita shopped!
Anita's life was characterized by love of family. She made holidays and celebrations special with her decorations and delicious food. She loved each of her grandchildren and always remembered birthdays and special occasions. Grandchildren's special events were the highlight of her day, where Anita was always the biggest cheerleader! She also made sure to keep relationships with nieces and nephews alive even when they lived far away in the UK or Africa. Having Stephen and Tina and their families visit from England was a joy and delight to her.
Her amusing stories were a favorite of all. She relished in telling of great details from the grandchildren's past or one of her many trips. She often sang and loved big band hits, Scottish songs, and no one will forget the one that got the most laughs-the "baby song". She reminded us all how she once played a part in her beloved musical "My Fair Lady"-off Broadway of course! She loved all musicals, and instilled this love starting with her first grandchild, Courtney, for whom she played all the Shirley Temple movies, "Meet Me in St Louis", and "Singing in the Rain".
Anita's love and protection over her two younger brothers led to a lifelong commitment to children, "our future", and led to volunteer work with CASA, a passion in her later years.
Anita will be greatly missed, but she will remain forever in our memories and hearts-our mother, sister, Nana, aunt, and our friend.
I remember the lanes, with their wild country flowers
The wind and the rain, the sunshine's sweet hours
I remember the hedgerows, the song in the trees
Tho' so far away, I remember all these
The green coated hills that would hide the sunset
God bless you, Dear Homeland, for I love your yet!

And thee I will cherish as years come and go
My sweet stream of memory will still gently flow
Ever on, never tiring, undimmed by Time's hand,
While wending its course through Life's grand wonderland
And till I return, thoughts still will be
In my dear old Homeland across the blue sea.

A. Pontremoli 1942