Anita Bril

Anita was born on December 23, 1925 and passed away on May 25, 2021. Anita was a resident of Arvada, Colorado at the time of her passing. She was a Kansas wheat farmer’s daughter and one of 14 children. Anita attended school in Kansas through the eighth grade. To attend high school, Anita enrolled in St. Mary’s Academy for Girls in Milwaukee, WI. She started college at Cardinal Stitch University in WI on her quest to become a nun. After several years serving our Lord and working with children, Anita prayed for direction. She received a “sign” that it was time to go home. Anita then applied and received a dispensation from Rome. Anita moved back to KS and enrolled in Fort Hays State College earning her bachelor’s degree in Education in 1956. In 1960, Anita met the love of her life, Duane Bril, and they married. Together they raised five children. Duane’s job took them to Wyoming, Washington, Mississippi and finally back to Colorado. In all of these locations, Anita impacted the lives of so many children as their teacher. She was so dedicated to the teaching profession that she continued to teach while attending the University of Southern Mississippi at night to earn her master’s degree in learning disabilities and mental retardation in 1978. After retiring, she fulfilled her passion for helping children to learn and overcome challenges by tutoring until the age of 89. Anita is preceded in death by her husband, Duane, and granddaughter, Brandee. She is survived by her children Mike, Sheila, Karen (Gary), Andrew (Jolene), Brian (Denise), eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Services will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 12735 W. 58th Avenue, Arvada, CO 80002 as follows: Rosary on Monday evening May 31st at 5:00 p.m.; funeral mass on Tuesday, June 1st at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery on June 16th. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Laradon Hall (laradon.org) or Little Sisters of the Poor (littlesistersofthepoordenver.org).