Anita Rita Clara Lambert, formerly of Eagle Rock, passed away on October 15, 2021.
She was born January 16, 1936, in Detroit, Mich., to the late Marianna Anita Scalzi Clara and Frank Dominic “One Punch” Clara. She was married to the late Commander Francis Richard “Dick” Lambert for 55 years; together, they resided in Eagle Rock for 47 years.
Anita dearly loved and was greatly loved by her family. She is survived by her four daughters, Kelah, Bridgette, Tori, and Erin; three sons-in-law, Roger, Bill, and Kenric; five grandchildren, Tara, Joseph, Ashley, Kyle, and Kara; three great-grandchildren, Varren, Cofer, and Valerie; her youngest sister Rosie; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins too numerous to name.
A consummate story-teller, writer, and researcher, Anita was proud of her Italian heritage and she self-published four genealogy books, the first of which was a compilation of matrilineal tales, photographs, and recipes from and about over 700 ancestors and relatives. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends who loved hearing her stories about her ancestors’ many triumphs and tragedies. Her cannoli will also be missed!
Though Anita insisted her daughters go to college, she was a graduate of the School of Hard Knocks and received most of her education working as a waitress, writer, editor, chauffeur, clerk, secretary, antique shop owner, swimming pool entrepreneur, church business manager, senior citizen program coordinator, market researcher, and rural mail carrier. She retired from the USPS in 1999. No stranger to struggle, Anita generously shared what she had and gave what she could to others.
Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at The Catholic Church of the Transfiguration at 7624 Roanoke Road in Fincastle, with Father Stephen McNally officiating. Following the service, her family will receive friends in the church Social Hall until 3 p.m. Her ashes will be inurned with her husband’s in a private family service at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, Va. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Anita Rita Clara Scholarship Fund at Roanoke College. Please send checks made payable to Roanoke College to the Roanoke College Resource Development Office, 221 College Lane, Salem, VA 24153. Online contributions also may be made at www.roanoke.edu\givetoday by selecting “Other” under Designation, then typing Anita Rita Clara Scholarship Fund into the Gift Designation field.
