Anita Falla, M.D. Pediatric surgeon Anita Falla, M.D., 96, of Millburn, N.J., passed way at home on Friday, April 20, 2018. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church, 50 Short Hills Ave., Short Hills, N.J., on Friday, April 27 at 10 a.m. Entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, N.J. In lieu of flowers, donations to Center of Hospice Care, 187 Millburn Ave., Millburn, N.J. 07041 would be appreciated. Arrangements by The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, Maplewood, N.J. Born in Jersey City, N.J., in 1921, Anita lived most of her 96 years in a home built by her father in 1925, in Millburn. Anita, Millburn High School class of 1939, graduated cum laude from College of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J., in 1943, and The College of Medicine, NYC, in 1950. From 1950 to 1953, Anita completed her medical internship and two years of general surgery at SUNY Medical Center, Syracuse, N.Y. In 1954, Dr. Falla began her pioneering career as a pediatric surgeon at Boston Children's Hospital. From 1955 to 1960, Anita was a surgeon at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago, and Buffalo Children's Hospital in New York. From 1960 to 1997, Dr. Falla, the first woman pediatric surgeon in New Jersey, practiced at Children's Hospital in Newark, N.J., then becoming director of pediatric surgery in 1970. During her tenure, Dr. Falla lectured worldwide and authored numerous articles on birth defects. At 80, Anita completed her uninterrupted career as a pediatric surgeon at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Newark and Livingston, N.J. Among her many honors, Anita received the Woman of the Year Award in 1978, from the American Medical Women's Association and the Mother Xavier Award from St Elizabeth's College in 1987. Anita has also served as a member of the board of directors, board of regents, and executive committee, board of trustees for the N.J. Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Falla is survived by her brother, Emil S. Falla; nieces and nephews, Roderick Falla, Marian Falla, Brian Falla, Emilie Rogers, and Diane Fell. She is also survived by nine great-nieces and nephews.