Anna Linea Willitts

Portsmouth, RI - Anna L. Ericson Willitts, 90, of 445 Windstone Drive, Portsmouth, died Saturday, February 27, 2010 at Grand Islander Health Care Center, Middletown, RI. She was the beloved wife of the late William M. Willitts, her high school sweetheart, who she met again at their 50th high school class reunion and married the following year. Together they enjoyed their winter home in West Palm Beach, FL and their summer home in Portsmouth. Born in Newport, RI on Apr. 28, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Anna Hasselquist Erickson.Mrs. Willitts graduated from Rogers High School and the Newport Hospital School of Nursing. In 1941 she enlisted in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps and during the Korean War served on the Hospital ship USS Haven caring for wounded off the coast of Korea. Following her retirement from the Navy in 1963 with the rank of LCDR, she worked for the Charles Munn family in Palm Beach, FL, retiring from that position in 1985. She is survived by her sister Barbara J. Knowles and her husband Robert C. of Kennett Square, PA , a sister in-law Alice Erickson of Newport, and nephew John C. Erickson Jr. and his wife Geralyn of Newport, as well as eleven other nieces and nephewsShe was the sister of the late Gustaf A. Ericson, Clarence Erickson, Harry R. Erickson and John Erickson. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 11:00am in St. Peters Lutheran Church, 525 Broadway, Newport.Burial will be in Middletown Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours are respectfully omitted Memorial donations may be made to St. Peters Lutheran Church, 525 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840.