Anita Bixenstine

We are filled with deep sadness as we turn the page upon her earthly presence, combined with abiding gratitude for the 97 years we could bask in the warmth of her extraordinary radiance. Anita Bixenstine (née Snydover) was born in New York City, the child of Eastern European immigrant garment workers, Victor and Lillian Snydover. She and her sister Frieda thrived on the arts, culture, and educational opportunities the city afforded.

Anita graduated from Brooklyn College and received her MA in Speech Therapy from the University of Illinois, where she met Vertus Edwin (Ed) Bixenstine. He was instantly captivated by her loveliness when he first saw her in the lunch line on their first day of graduate school, and they married eight months later—beginning a love story that lasted 72 years.

They settled in Kent, Ohio, where Ed taught psychology at Kent State University, and together they raised five children: Bart (Kim), Kimball (Marilyn Purdy), Lisa (late Platt) Safford, Belinda (Tony Palmieri) Potts, and Michael (Dawn). Within 13 years, their bustling household was complete, and Anita was the sun around which her family orbited.

She loved her children dearly while continuing her own education, earning a PhD in English. She taught high school and college English, directed Head Start, and served as a longtime administrator at the Kent State Honors College. A gifted performer, she graced the stages of Kent State University, Porthouse, and Weathervane Playhouse in numerous leading roles—her acting talent extraordinary to behold.

In retirement, Anita continued to act, headed the League of Women Voters, served on the board of Planned Parenthood, sang with the Cleveland Orchestra Choir, took classes at Kent State and the Cleveland Jewish College, and took up jogging. She taught piano to all 14 of her beloved grandchildren—Matthew (Alyse), Andrew (Amy), Edward, Paul (Jennifer Ho), Nathan, Curtis, Emma, and Elise Bixenstine; Brett (Autumn), Brooke (Chris) Lukes, and Riley Potts; and Gabriel (Robyn), Audrey, and Anthony Safford—and delighted in the arrival of six great-grandchildren.

She traveled the world, joined with like-minded neighbors to advocate passionately for the causes she and Ed believed in, and continued to radiate warmth, humor, and curiosity. A gifted conversationalist, she taught us all how to be social creatures—curious and engaged with others and with the world around us.

Anita left her large and loving family grieving and grateful. We grieve that we will no longer bask in the pleasure of her engaging conversation and her infectious joyfulness, yet we celebrate that we enjoyed her wisdom, energy, and love for so long. She was truly the sun around whom we orbited and drew our sustenance.  Our world has become a dimmer place without her cheerful, gentle, loving presence.

A celebration of Anita’s life and legacy will be held in the spring of 2026. In her honor, please consider a gift to the Kent State University Kimball J Bixenstine Scholarship Fund (330-672-2312; www.kent.edu/honors/giving), Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio (614-224-2235), or the KSU National Public Radio station (844-217-8897).