Anita Mae Tomayer

“I would like to be remembered as someone who was interested in how things worked, someone who was dedicated to family and friends, to the fair and other projects; and as someone who loved music and loved to dance and to read.” Anita, April 12, 2026
Anita passed peacefully in her sleep early on a Thursday morning, in her favourite well-worn pajamas, in her own bed, and at home with family.
What a lady and where to start with someone who had such a full life?
Anita was born in Conrad, Montana and had a deep love of the prairies, the big Montana skies and majestic buttes. Her parents, Warren and Delores Sauby, were dryland farmers and her father also had jobs pumping oil and gas wells. She was the eldest of 5 children raised around hard work, the necessity to make do with what you had and the importance of family.
She discovered a great love of reading at an early age and particularly loved literature, history and geology. She played trombone in high school, was a cheerleader, and was valedictorian for her graduating class.
Married in 1956, Anita moved with her husband and children from Montana to Moricetown in 1967, and then 3 years later to her home in Smithers.
Anita was a life-long volunteer in her community and donated her enthusiasm and hard work to many projects. A significant component and cornerstone to her life was her love of the Fall Fair. She was a very active and dedicated member with the Bulkley Valley Exhibition for over 55 years, holding various leadership roles including that of President for over 20 years and her most recent role as a board director. Anita never wavered in her loyalty and commitment to the Fair's aims and objectives to encourage agricultural education and community development and was a staunch defender and promoter of all things “Fall Fair”.
Anita worked various secretarial and administrative jobs in Smithers and also was a full time elementary school teacher at St. Joseph's in the early 70’s. You may be surprised to know that she also attended the University of BC for summer semesters in 1974 and 1975. Many of you will remember Anita working at the Greyhound Bus Depot, The Interior Newspaper, Hoskin's Ford, and at the Smither’s Airport in Security until her retirement at age 70. She was also an entrepreneur running her own ice delivery and
vending machine business, selling Mary Kay cosmetics, and she secured the contract for many years in the 90’s to operate the lunch counter at the airport.
Anita was a fiercely independent woman with five children and she had an interesting and full life that included many wonderful life-long friends, travel, laughter and dancing. She had a “can-do” attitude and made it through a lot of lean years. How she was able to volunteer as much as she did, work full time, care for her family and still make it to dances and go out with friends for a good party seems almost mysterious.
In Anita's own words, she wrote, April 12, 2026, “I want to let my children know they are the most important constant in my life. It may not have seemed that way sometimes, but it is true!”
Anita is survived by her children Ed, Tim, Delores, Janet and Carol, and her sister, Cele Knaup. Her sister, Joanne Stetzel, sadly passed away on May 25th, 2026. Anita is pre-deceased by her siblings, Wilfred Sauby, Jim Sauby, and her former husband and father of her children, Nicholas Tomayer. Anita has a much beloved extended family, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her life in Smithers was intertwined with friends that she cherished, and her many long-distance friends and family were part of the fabric of her rich life in the beautiful Bulkley Valley.
Please join us for a celebration of Anita's life Tuesday, July 21, 2026 , 2 pm-4 pm at the Old Church, 3704 First Avenue, Smithers. Please gather with the family for a reception following the service.

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