Anita (Rose/Finni) Lebo

Anita (Rose/Finni) Lebo of La Porte, Indiana passed away Thursday, January 28, 2016.  She was born December 5, 1937 in New Bedford, MA to Elsie (Ferreira) and Joseph Rose, and her adoptive Father was Clifford Finni.  Anita lived in LaPorte since 1970 coming from Winamac, Indiana.  

Anita was a bus driver for La Porte Community School Corporation for 25 years.

She was married and divorced from Robert N. O’Donnell and James L. Lebo, both men remained good friends with Anita until the time of their death.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, La Porte.

Anita leaves behind three sons, Robert (Sugeil) O’Donnell of Apopka Florida, Stephen (Karen) O’Donnell of Hudson Lake, IN, and Jamie (Kris) Lebo of Union Mills, Indiana; two daughters, Anita “Tina” (Gary) Geyer of La Porte, Indiana and Michelle O’Donnell of Tampa, Florida; a stepdaughter, Debbie (Charlie) Kirk of Rochester, Indiana; grandchildren, Shawn, Ryan (Keri), Steven, Drake, and Robert O’Donnell; Evan (Heather), Robert II (Randi), Valarie, Jasmine and Ann Marie O’Donnell, Caitlin Miller, Sadie, Tessa, and Mia Lebo; Shelley Schilling; Megan(Aaron) Sanders; great grandchildren, Tre’, Robert III, Kenzie, Aurora, Hope, Serenity and Elias O’Donnell, Lukas and Devin Couch, Cearra Castleman; Great- great granddaughter La’Myia Collains; two sisters, Maryann White and Madelyn (Gary) Peck of Yorktown, Virginia;  many nieces and nephews; and good friends Anna Tripodis of LaPorte and Lea Viera of Florida.  She was preceded by a daughter, Kimberely O’Donnell.

Anita will be remembered as a loving Mother not only to her children but to the many neighborhood children and the many friends of her own children that Anita took in when they had no place to go. She was known as “Mom” to many.  Anita loved to bowl, camp, dance, and enjoyed photography. She loved her dog Wrigley and cat Abbie. She was so proud of being an American and was a very patriotic person. She was very active when it came to supporting our Veterans, especially during Desert Storm while her son was enlisted and serving in Iraq.

Family and friends may visit from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, ESSLING CHAPEL, 1117 Indiana Avenue, LaPorte, Indiana.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Evan Lash officiating. A private burial of ashes will be in Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (Can donate thru Facebook), Alzheimer’s Association, or to Disable American Veterans, Chapter 27, PO Box 6576, Lafayette, IN 47903 – Attn: James Kramer and mark funds to be used at the Lafayette Soldiers Home. Or in her “memory” – take some time and visit someone in a nursing home that may no longer have family or friends that can come to visit.

To send condolences online, please visit Essling Funeral Home.com.        

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