Published in the October 6, 2017 edition
MELROSE — Anita P. (Plummer) Bill, a longtime resident of Boxford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. She was 89 years of age.
Anita was born in Somerville on December 17, 1927, one of three children of the late H. Raymond and Bernadette (Evans) Plummer. She was raised in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High School and Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston. She was married to G. Dana Bill on May 21, 1949, and they lived in Malden and Melrose before settling in Boxford.
Known as “Nita” or “Nini,” she was a devoted family woman. As a child, she had many happy memories from summers at the cottage on the lake in Shapleigh, Maine with her parents and siblings. As a young woman, she worked for Girls Scouts of America, and continued as a volunteer Den mother when her three daughters became involved. Later in life, her focus turned to her beloved seven grandchildren whom she adored. She attended many of their sporting events, and loved showing them around the kitchen. A music lover, she also enjoyed bringing her family to the annual Boston Pops concerts.
Faith-filled, Nita was a member of the First and Second Congregational Churches of Boxford where she chaired many Church Fairs and served on the Ladies Auxiliary. At home, she loved gardening, watching the Bruins, and her animals, especially her beloved Lhasa Apso, “Tia.”
Nita and Dana were longtime members of Winchester Country Club where they enjoyed socializing, and playing tennis for many years. With their friends, Marilyn and Jack Mahoney, they enjoyed a lifelong friendship. They had many vacations, ski trips, and winters on Hutchinson Island in Florida together.
Nita was strong willed, spirited and fun-loving. She loved a party, whether hosting family and friends at her house, entertaining in the backyard by the pool, or annual family reunions and 4th of July parties. She will be missed, but always remembered for her love of entertaining, her feisty nature, and her love of family.
Nita was the beloved wife of G. Dana Bill with whom she shared 68 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Cathy B. Steer and her husband Phil of Gloucester, Deborah B. Thibault and her husband Don of York, Maine, and Holly B. Burke and her husband Joseph of Danvers. Loving sister of Margaret Edgett and her late husband George of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and the late William Plummer and his late wife Meredith. Cherished grandmother of Dana Steer and his partner Gary Hilborn of New York City, Andrew Steer and his wife Sarah of Lynnfield, Katelyn Steer and her wife Cass Anton-Steer of Cheshire, CT, Jennifer Wilkes and her husband Ethan of NYC, Peter Thibault of London, England, and Rachel and Chad Burke, both of Danvers. Proud great-grandmother of Leah Pearl Steer of Lynnfield.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Anita’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Wednesday, October 4, and for her Funeral Service at the Second Congregational Church, 173 Washington St., Boxford. Interment at Boxford Village Cemetery, Boxford.
Gifts in Nita’s memory may be made to the Cam Neely Foundation, 30 Winter St., 2nd Fl., Boston, MA 02108, or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 9 Erie Dr., Ste. 101, Natick, MA 01760, or to a charity of your choice. For online tribute or directions: RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
