Anita Michele Jarboe

Anita Jarboe passed away in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day, on November 28, 2024, at the young age of 64, from complications from her second open-heart surgery. In recent years, Anita had vanquished a variety of health issues with courage, grace and good humor. As such, her passing was totally unexpected and has knocked the wind from our souls. Anita was surrounded by her cherished and devoted husband, Jeffrey Jarboe; her loving sister and brother-in-law, Jackie and Perry Thomas; her adoring nieces, Stacy Thomas (Eddie Dant) and Stephanie Thomas (with Leo); and many members of the Jarboe family. Her memory will be treasured by the entire Jarboe family, including Kaaren Jarboe (Jack) Hellmueller, J. Michael (Lydia) Jarboe, Janice Jarboe (Charles) Wiseman, and Nancy Jarboe Gatewood (whose husband, Gregory, is deceased); as well as nieces and nephews Tara Robinson (with Aidan and Molly), Joseph (Alicia) Jarboe, Jillian (Jason) Jarboe, and Sara Gatewood and Samuel (Tannyr) Gatewood. Anita is also survived by her siblings Susan Gray and Jimmy Rich and her nephew, Michael Thomas and daughter, Meredith. Anita was predeceased by her father, Michael Rich, and her revered mother, Eva Rich; and her in-laws, James Jarboe and her beloved mother-in-law, Rita Jarboe. Anita was a lifelong resident of Louisville, Kentucky, where she lived life to the fullest and found the greatest joy in celebrating everyone she met and living their successes and challenges every day. Anita loved her mother, Eva Rich, beyond measure and treasured the wisdom and affection of her mother-in-law, Rita Jarboe. But, the love of her life was her beloved husband, Jeffrey. Nini and Jeff were together since 1979 and were married for over 32 years. They will always be as inseparable in spirit and dedication as they are in their love and devotion. They championed each other; guided each other; protected each other; and celebrated each other. Anita was a 25-year employee and advocate of Jewish Family and Career Services, where she tirelessly embraced and advanced the JFCS mission of providing career counseling and social and family services to their clients – all of whom welcomed and appreciated Anita’s personal and caring touch. Anita and Jeff were a fixture in the community and particularly in the Louisville music scene, where Anita and Jeff treasured their friends and brought joy to so many. In addition to whatever and wherever Jeff was performing, Anita remained a dedicated fan of classic rock, from the Beatles to Alice Cooper, from the Wulfe Bros. to the Monarchs. And, her infectious smile, engaging laugh, and uplifting spirit were hits few could ever cover. Anita supervised the household, kept the home fires burning brightly, and was a perfect mom to all of the pets and her dogs over the years – Midnight, Coco, Bear, Doozy, and the very present and spirited Raven and Ripley (and, of course, her Pink Panthers). Anita enjoyed thrifting, crafting with Stacy, or working with anyone to decorate on a budget. Most of all, Anita excelled at making everyone she met feel good about themselves. And there were places Nini most remembered, be it Newport, RI with Janice and Charlie; Christmas Eve at Rita’s; Christmas Day at the Thomas’; Mexico City with Dave and Rosie; a Mediterranean cruise with Canary; the inauguration of President Barrack Obama with her co-workers; or just listening to Jeff anywhere. In her life, she loved them all. Anita craved simplicity in her life, always putting family and friends above the fray and above all else and treasuring the smallest of kindnesses in people. She was voice of reason, a beacon of hope, and a star of one of the greatest love stories we will ever see. We will celebrate Anita’ s life on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Owen Funeral Home, 9318 Taylorsville Road, Jeffersontown, KY 40299, with visitation starting at 3:00 p.m. and the Celebration of Life beginning at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Anita’s honor can be made to the Have a Heart Clinic, Louisville, Kentucky (haveaheartclinic.org) or to Jewish Family & Career Services (JFCS) of Louisville, Kentucky (jfcslouisville.org).

Anita Michele Jarboe

October 24, 1960 - November 28, 2024