Anita McCulloch Buerger: June 11, 1926- July 6, 2020
Anita was born in San Diego on June 11, 1926 at her grandmother’s private McCulloch Hospital.
Anita’s mother B. Anna Rogan McCulloch, and her father James Leven McCulloch, both served in the United States Military during WWI in France. They contracted Tuberculosis, from which they succumbed, making Anita an orphan at a young age.
Anita graduated from San Diego High School and enrolled in the Los Angeles Institute of Design. Not long after, Anita returned to San Diego and worked for years at the Telephone Company and SDG&E.
In 1966, at a New Year’s Eve dance at the Vacation Village hotel in San Diego, Anita met Bill Buerger who she married on September 03, 1967.
Together they started a flower growing business, Orchid Farm, Warwick Greenhouses, Jungle Plants, Pacific Rim Flowers and Bonsall Flowers; all of which flourished in various locations in and around North County of San Diego and made them well known in the Horticulture Industry. Their efforts and success were shared with the community and created countless jobs for many faithful employees who became like family over the years.
In 1998, they sold their last business property and home, and moved to Ocean Hills Country Club and established a charitable Trust that included the Humane Society, Friends of Cats, as well as the San Diego Historical Society.
Anita became an active and enthusiastic member of several clubs in OHCC, but none were dearer to her heart than Genealogy which led her to Ireland to discover her ancestral home, and the Garden Club with Bill as her trusty and patient assistant. In 2012, after 45 years of marriage, building businesses, and world travel, Anita lost Bill at the age of 93.
While Anita and Bill never had children or grandchildren of their own, Anita’s cousin Monique Benson Sart and God daughter Desiree, both have countless memories of the warmth, laughter, love, and beloved feline friends that filled and welcomed them to their homes and holidays over the years.
May the gracious Lord embrace Anita upon her homecoming.
Anita is survived by,
Monique Benson Sart, Richard Quandt; Desiree Benson Avery, with Matt Avery, Jackson and Colten; The McCulloch family; The Rogan Family in Ireland; Monique, Phil and Sheena Opstad; Yvonne and Gary Oltmanns; Michael Clarke; Rene van Rems.
The family kindly requests that any expressions of sympathy be made directly to the San Diego Humane Society in Anita’s name. Please visit https://www.sdhumane.org/ or find the direct donation link on the Donations tab.
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