Anita M. Bernier Obituary
Anita M. (Theriault) Bernier, 94, loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend, passed away Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in Beverly, MA. She was born in Salem, MA on May 23, 1927 and was the daughter of the late Arthur and Julia (Soucy) Theriault. Anita moved to Rockport when she was three years old when her father, who worked for the Boston and Maine Railroad, was transferred to Rockport from Salem.
She attended Rockport schools and graduated from Rockport High School, Class of 1945. Anita worked for the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company as a switchboard operator, The Building Center in Rockport, and later with her husband at The Home Center in Essex. Her favorite job was working for the Rockport Chamber of Commerce, where she welcomed and helped visitors to Rockport.
Anita was a warm, kind, caring person who enjoyed the simple things in life, had a wonderful positive outlook, could make any situation fun, and loved living in Rockport. She and her husband loved to dance and spent many winters in Bonita Springs, Florida, walking, boating, beaching, and playing golf, where she was proud to have hit two holes-in-one.
She had many wonderful memories of times over the years with her childhood friends and also the "Club Girls". She was an avid Red Sox fan and was happy to see the Sox win the World Series several times in her lifetime. She was very happy to live at the Rockport High School Apartments for many years, where she had attended high school.
Anita enjoyed sitting on the patio chatting with friends and appreciated the support from the staff there. Survived by daughters; Judith Maxfield of Rockport and Lisa Bernier Moulton and husband Geoffrey of Rockport, grandchildren; Christopher Maxfield of Essex, Douglas Maxfield and wife Sarah Kalloch of Ipswich, Carly Moulton of Rockport, and Sofia Moulton of Los Angeles; great- granddaughter Calan Maxfield; brother Paul Theriault of Rockport and sister Patricia Ryan and brother-in-law Robert Ryan of Gloucester and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband Reginald Bernier, sister Irene Anderson, brother Raymond Theriault, and son-in-law Raymond Maxfield. Anita's beautiful smile, sense of humor, and warmth will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. Her family is grateful for the wonderful care she received from SeniorCare and the many attentive aides from Connected Home Care who helped with her wish to stay in her home as long as possible.
The family also wish to thank the caring staff at Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center and Care Dimensions. In keeping with her wishes, a private Graveside Service will be held to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Anita's memory to SeniorCare, 49 Blackburn Center, Gloucester, MA 01930 (seniorcareinc.org) or to Rockport Millbrook Meadow Conservancy, P.O. Box 51, Rockport, MA 01966 (millbrookmeadow.org).
Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.
