WATERVILLE – Anita Florence Oakes Fitch, 91, of Waterville formerly of New Sharon passed away Friday, Aug. 9, 2013 at Cedar Ridge Center in Skowhegan.
She was born on Nov. 29, 1921 in Farmington, the daughter of Agis Oakes and Florence Elsworth Oakes. At the age of one she lived with her grandparents, Arthur and Ann Elsworth, as her parents divorced and her mother started teaching school away from home.
She started school in the Brown neighborhood where her mother was then teaching. Anita graduated from Farmington High School with the class of 1939 and then attended Farmington State Normal School until 1942, earning a degree in teaching. She taught school in Farmington Falls and Wilton. On June 22, 1947 she married Lester H. Fitch and together they lived 59 years on the family farm in New Sharon. They adopted two children Brian Lester Fitch and Beth Ann Fitch Collins.
She was a former member of the Farmington and New Sharon granges, Messulukit Chapter, OES and Trinity Methodist Church, later joining the New Sharon Methodist Church.
Anita enjoyed many things in life and was talented at many more. She was a gifted piano player, cellist, and in the past played piano for the church whenever possible. She was excellent at all handy work and sewing, making Lester shirts, jackets, as well as making clothing for Brian and Beth.
In 2005 Anita and Lester moved to Waterville to live with their daughter, Beth Collins and her two sons. Anita will always be known for her memory of detail and events. To the very end she remained sharp and alert.
She is survived by her adult children Brian Fitch and Beth Collins; her grandsons Jesse and Hunter Collins; and her former son-in-law Jay Collins; and her younger brother David McCluskey and his wife Bonnie and their daughter Ashley. Anita was predeceased by her spouse, Lester who passed away in January of 2011, her sister Avis Daniels who passed away four years ago, and her brother Stephen who passed several years ago.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington with interment at Fairview Cemetery immediately following. Donations may be made in her memory to New Sharon United Methodist Church 18 Starks Rd. New Sharon, ME 04955. Condolences for the family may be sent at www.adamsmcfarlane.com
Miss Anita Oaks was my favorite teacher at Farmington Falls two room school.
My condolances to her family