Anita Been

Anita Jean Cavagnaro Been left our presence and joined the sacred depths of the earth and universe Sunday morning April 29, 2018 at the age of 85. Born September 14,1932 in Cincinnati, Ohio she was the only child of Mildred "Middi" and Attilio Emile "Cavy" Cavagnaro. She lived her life with determination, elegance and grace. 1952 brought her to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for summer school and into a relationship with Paul Greger Been, son of Parnel and Paul Been. Anita and Paul married September 12, 1953 and settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where their four children were born: JoAnna (1954), Paul (1956), Jennifer (1960) and David (1968). As a mother she embraced uniqueness and challenged personal growth with a belief that a parent's responsibility is to provide roots as well as wings and that failure is an opportunity for reflection and learning. Anita was extremely proud of her immediate and extended family, becoming their wise and respected matriarch following husband Paul's death in 1983 after which she moved from Milwaukee to Madison. She had several close life-long friendships and an "eleven-year conversation" with George Parker that matched intellect and opinions with interests and insights.

Anita's curiosity, personal drive, fierce independence and keen intellect propelled her to excel in academics including a Master of Arts - English, Master of Science - Biology, and PhD - Cell Biology through Marquette University. Her thirst for knowledge knew no boundaries. She was a pioneer as a woman in science and a dynamic partner with her husband as they raised their children. Anita was a voracious reader and possessed a knowledge and vocabulary that was incredible. She embraced environmentalism, cultural diversity, and humanity. She expanded her awareness and insights through national and international travel. As an educator she guided the learning of others through numerous post-secondary teaching positions at colleges in Milwaukee including Alverno College, Carroll University, Mount Mary University, and the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

She weathered life's tragedies, including a descent into dementia during the last few years of her life, while consistently seeing herself (and perhaps her children and grandchildren) as her greatest experiment(s) perpetually tweaking variables, viewing results, and observing outcomes to determine her next course of action.

We'll miss you forever. Mom upside down is wow. Your love and curiosity for the natural world, the arts, other cultures, and all of us make you one of the most fascinating people we will ever know.

Survivors include her children, JoAnna (Tom) Rice of Madison, Paul Been (Maria Gadzichowski) of Watertown, Jennifer (Dale) Bakke of Watertown, David (Karrie) Been of Appleton; seven grandchildren, Sam (Jen) Gadzichowski, Gregor (Eva) Mraz, Sarah Mraz (Alan) Ziesche, Alec Bakke; Karla Bakke, Emily Been, Paul Been; two step grandchildren, Andrea (Michael) King, Joseph (Gwendolyn) Rice; two great-grandchildren Maverick Mraz, Maxwell Ziesche; and three step great-grandchildren Charlotte King, Ethan Quirk, and Charlie Rice.

A private family celebration of Anita's life will take place at a future date. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, WI. Memorials may be given to the University of Wisconsin Arboretum, the Wisconsin Historical Foundation, or Agrace Hospice Care who the family thanks for their guidance and support during Anita's final months.

Please include on any check: in memory of Anita Been

University of Wisconsin - Madison Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711
on-line link available:
https://secure.supportuw.org/give/?id=E0BE44FE-923E-468A-B1CE-6B3F77714561

Wisconsin Historical Foundation
P.O. Box 620050, Madison WI 53726

Agrace Hospice Care
5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711


"What is reality? Maybe this is all a play within a play. Can we step out and look in?"
Anita Been, December 2017, as recorded by an Agrace social worker

The Most Astounding Fact - Neil deGrasse Tyson- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D05ej8u-gU


Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434