Armandina Emilia Anders' Obituary
Armandina Emilia Anders, of Fort Myers Florida, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2024. Armandina was born September 29,1938 to Jose Antao and Valentina Fernandes Da Silva in Villa Nova De Gaia, Portugal.
Armandina has called Florida her home since 1980. She was born in Portugal where she graduated from college and moved to Spain to pursue a career in nursing. She was fluent in Portugues, Spanish and French. Had she lived a few more years, her English would have been perfect, or so she said. Armandina moved to Spain where she met her husband David Anders while he was stationed in Madrid. Upon his retirement after 22 years in the air Force, the family moved to the United States, where she raised her well-behaved (most of the time) and beautiful children. She started her own business, and worked at various hotels and restaurants, where she showcased her magic in the kitchen. She could make a gourmet meal out of 3 ingredients. She would have been perfect for any of the cooking shows on TV now a days. She loved selling Avon in her spare time. She was full of energy and always on the go. We believed that she secretly worked for the FBI part time, because there wasn't much that we got away with. She always knew where we were, and what we were doing. Quite an accomplishment since it was before the days of internet and cell phones. She was not shy about showing up and pulling us out by our ear if we weren't doing the right thing. I have since taken over her part time job at the FBI and now do the same to my children. After all, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. One of her other gifts was Armandina's ability to bring life to any plant she sowed. She had quite the green thumb even in difficult climates like the dessert.
She was a woman of deep faith, trusted God, loved the scripture and drank deeply from the living water that is Jesus Christ. She prayed the rosary daily and most importantly prayed for her children and grandchildren even hourly sometimes, when she felt we all needed some extra blessings. Friends and other family members were not far from her prayers either.
You are forever in our hearts.
“Thank you, mami, for your sacrifices, your guidance, and your love. You were a good wife, beautiful person and the best mother anyone could have. You touched many people along the way. You had an amazing life and the stories you told of growing up in Portugal are forever engrained in our hearts. Deep in our hearts we know that God called you away from us because heaven couldn't wait for you any longer”. Love you always, your son, Jesus, and daughter Esther.
Armandina is preceded in passing by her parents, Jose Antao, Valentina Fernades DaSilva, her brother, Jose Antao, her sister, Maria Do Carmo Vaz Pereira, and husband, David M. Anders.
Armandina leaves her loving memory with her survivors, her son, Jesus Fernades DaSilva, her daughter, Esther DaSilva Vivancos, her son in law, David Vivancos, and Grandchildren, Taylor DaSilva, Isabella Vivancos, David Vivancos Jr, Sophia Vivancos, Christina Vivancos, and Adele Zummo as well as many friends that she considered family.
Armandina's family has entrusted Fort Myers Memorial Gardens with the tender care of her final arrangements. A visitation will be held November 1, 2024, at 11AM, her funeral service will begin at 12pm at Fort Myers memorial Gardens.
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