Anita Zisner, 69, of Fayetteville. Arkansas passed away on August 8, 2021. She died in the peace of her home after a short duration of pancreatic cancer.
Anita was born January 5, 1952, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to James and Mary Ellen Honnold. For most of her formative years she was raised by her parents on a farm in central Illinois.
After graduating from Southern Illinois University with a degree in Interior Design, she came to Arkansas with her husband Buddy Zisner. Together they owned the Working Class Hero restaurant on Block Street in Fayetteville.
For many years, Anita managed B. Dalton Book Seller in Fayetteville. Then for several years before retiring, she managed the Habitat for Humanity Restore in Fayetteville.
Anita loved time with family, travel, art and design, spoiling her pets, tending to native plants, feeding the birds, literature, and the variety of experiences life gave her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Buddy Zisner, and her second husband David Westendorf.
Survivors include her brother Doug Honnold and his wife Julie Michaels of Portland, Oregon; her brother-in-law Stephen Zisner; and her daughter, Aurora Zisner and Aurora’s husband Clayton Yarri Davis, and their two children Jacob and Ellayna Davis, all of Fayetteville.
A memorial gathering will be held at Anita’s home on Sunday, August 15, 2021, at 3pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cornell Lab of Ornithology or Circle of Life Hospice.
Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
Aurora, Mary and I were surprised and saddened by your mother’s passing. She was a sweet person, and it was always nice to reconnect with her after she had moved from Sutton St. The drawback to living a long life is seeing fewer and fewer of the contemporaries who have enriched one’s story. Take care of yourself and your family…Jan & Mary
We always loved seeing Anita over the decades with her loving superb attitude, always an inspiration.
She will be missed. So sorry for your loss.
Sandy & Craig Young
Dear Aurora,
I am so sorry about your Mother. Anita was a beautiful soul. I treasured her friendship and so sad that she is gone.
I am happy that you guys have lived here, I know that meant a lot to her.
Both of your parents were precious, I will always be thankful to them for befriending Amy and taking her on your vacation. I think that started her love of traveling, it really opened a new world for her.
Love,
Sandy
I am sorry that we will not be able to attend the service as we are traveling. I always enjoyed visiting and talking to Anita and Dave who attended Ozarks Native Plant Society of ANPS meetings and hikes and at other local friend gatherings. I appreciated the optimistic and gracious spirit that Anita exhibited. My condolences to her family.