Anita H. Washburn
February 16, 1937 — August 16, 2023
Anita Helen (Jaakkola) Washburn, born February 16, 1937, died peacefully at home on August 16, 2023 at the age of 86 with Jim, her devoted husband of 67 years, by her side.
Anita was born in New York City. Her family later moved to Bell Hill in Otisfield, Maine. She attended Fryeburg Academy in Maine and the Grace Downs Air Career School in New York.
Anita had her first date with Jim in December 1954 and a year later, they became engaged in New York City. On April 28, 1956, they married and officially started their wonderful life together.
Anita and Jim went on to have 2 children, Debbie and Mike, whom they raised in Salem, NH. Anita was a devoted mother and wife and although not very common for mothers at that time, Anita yearned to work outside the home. She held positions in retail sales and banking, always putting her family’s needs first. Anita’s final position before retirement was at the Arlington Trust Company. As a family, the Washburns made the most of every weekend, often spending time at “Camp” on Goose Pond, Pleasant Lake and Saturday Pond. You could find the family camping,
hiking, fishing, waterskiing, or exploring the outdoors year-round.
Later during retirement, Anita spent summers in Maine tending to her multiple gardens and enjoying visits from family. She had a “green thumb” and could grow anything from a rare flower to a garden full of vegetables. She also enjoyed photography, taking pictures of wildlife and flowers. The rest of year was spent in Florida where she was active in the condo community, spending time by the pool showing photos of her children and grandchildren to her friends, reading and dining with Jim at the local “early bird specials” and enjoying a “2 for 1 cocktail”.
Anita was an amazing cook and hostess. For many years, she would prepare a beautiful and delicious Thanksgiving feast. Somehow, she would have everything perfectly timed for dinner followed by her famous homemade pies. Anita would make Thanksgiving in September for her family before heading south for the winter. Then on Thanksgiving, she would prepare another turkey feast for her friends at Greentree Villas in Florida.
Anita was poised and beautiful. Long before the luxury of digital cameras and the ability for multiple retakes, photos of her came to life with her smile and grace. At the same time, Anita was strong and loved fiercely. She gave the best hugs and knew how to make someone feel special with her interest in their conversations. She always wanted to know how you were doing and listened to understand.
Anita will be missed by her family and friends especially by her beloved husband, Jim, her daughter, Debbie and husband, Michael Lucci, her son, Michael Washburn, her grandchildren: Erin Distelbrink and husband, Nick, James Campbell and wife, Meghan, Jennifer Trela and Daniel Washburn, and her great grandchildren: James, Evelyn, Lila, Ryan, and Nicholas as well as Marjorie Baird, her sister-in-law and David Campbell, her former son-in-law. Anita was predeceased by her parents: Urho (Sam) and Helen (Heikkenen) Jaakkola, her infant brother, several aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
Her family is extremely grateful for Marcia, Claudia and others who took care of Anita with respect and kindness.
Arrangements will be made by Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home in Boynton Beach,
Florida. A chapel service will be held on Friday August 25,2023 at 10:00 AM and will be recorded and available on their website. Dates for a celebration of life service and burial (in Maine) will be shared by the family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Anita’s memory to Bell Hill Meetinghouse Association, 271 Shore Rd, Otisfield, ME 04270.
Anita was born in New York City. Her family later moved to Bell Hill in Otisfield, Maine. She attended Fryeburg Academy in Maine and the Grace Downs Air Career School in New York.
Anita had her first date with Jim in December 1954 and a year later, they became engaged in New York City. On April 28, 1956, they married and officially started their wonderful life together.
Anita and Jim went on to have 2 children, Debbie and Mike, whom they raised in Salem, NH. Anita was a devoted mother and wife and although not very common for mothers at that time, Anita yearned to work outside the home. She held positions in retail sales and banking, always putting her family’s needs first. Anita’s final position before retirement was at the Arlington Trust Company. As a family, the Washburns made the most of every weekend, often spending time at “Camp” on Goose Pond, Pleasant Lake and Saturday Pond. You could find the family camping,
hiking, fishing, waterskiing, or exploring the outdoors year-round.
Later during retirement, Anita spent summers in Maine tending to her multiple gardens and enjoying visits from family. She had a “green thumb” and could grow anything from a rare flower to a garden full of vegetables. She also enjoyed photography, taking pictures of wildlife and flowers. The rest of year was spent in Florida where she was active in the condo community, spending time by the pool showing photos of her children and grandchildren to her friends, reading and dining with Jim at the local “early bird specials” and enjoying a “2 for 1 cocktail”.
Anita was an amazing cook and hostess. For many years, she would prepare a beautiful and delicious Thanksgiving feast. Somehow, she would have everything perfectly timed for dinner followed by her famous homemade pies. Anita would make Thanksgiving in September for her family before heading south for the winter. Then on Thanksgiving, she would prepare another turkey feast for her friends at Greentree Villas in Florida.
Anita was poised and beautiful. Long before the luxury of digital cameras and the ability for multiple retakes, photos of her came to life with her smile and grace. At the same time, Anita was strong and loved fiercely. She gave the best hugs and knew how to make someone feel special with her interest in their conversations. She always wanted to know how you were doing and listened to understand.
Anita will be missed by her family and friends especially by her beloved husband, Jim, her daughter, Debbie and husband, Michael Lucci, her son, Michael Washburn, her grandchildren: Erin Distelbrink and husband, Nick, James Campbell and wife, Meghan, Jennifer Trela and Daniel Washburn, and her great grandchildren: James, Evelyn, Lila, Ryan, and Nicholas as well as Marjorie Baird, her sister-in-law and David Campbell, her former son-in-law. Anita was predeceased by her parents: Urho (Sam) and Helen (Heikkenen) Jaakkola, her infant brother, several aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
Her family is extremely grateful for Marcia, Claudia and others who took care of Anita with respect and kindness.
Arrangements will be made by Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home in Boynton Beach,
Florida. A chapel service will be held on Friday August 25,2023 at 10:00 AM and will be recorded and available on their website. Dates for a celebration of life service and burial (in Maine) will be shared by the family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Anita’s memory to Bell Hill Meetinghouse Association, 271 Shore Rd, Otisfield, ME 04270.
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