Newfields - Anita Margaret Nichols, 91, of Newfields, NH, passed away peacefully December 28, 2023 at the Rockingham County Nursing Home after a brief illness.
Anita was born September 22, 1932 in Dover, NH to Leona Vendasi and Anthony Grassi. She grew up during the Great Depression in Dover and spent 7 years in the Catholic Orphanage with her older sister, Gina. A year after being reunited with her parents, Her father passed away suddenly. A few years later, before starting a promising career at Clarostat in Dover, Her mother was permanently injured during a work accident. Anita abandoned her career goals to care for her mother and younger brother, Dick. It was during this time she met her future husband, Edward Nichols. With her mother's blessing, they were married at St. Joseph's Church in Dover May 16, 1953, and settled on an old farm on Beech Hill in Exeter. She continued taking the train to Dover weekly to attend to her mother's needs. After another move, Ed built their home and barn in Newfields, NH, where they raised their family and operated a small dairy farm. Their faith in God helped them through the many obstacles they faced together. Anita loved her family and friends, and although she only drove for a short time, she always made an effort to stay in touch with people. She was known for her baking skills, especially apple pies with homemade crust. She loved reading, sewing, quilting, and crafts. She enjoyed hosting luncheons and time spent with her friends. She canned and froze vegetables and meat grown on their property, and later on, maple syrup. Anita and Edward were married 61 years before Ed's passing in 2014. She continued on at the farm until her short stay at Rockingham. Her family would like to thank their staff at the skilled care unit at Rockingham for their excellent care of Anita.
Besides her parents, Anita was predeceased by her Husband Edward W. Nichols, and all of her siblings, including Gina Knox, Fred, Bill and Dick Vendasi, all of Dover.
She is survived by her sons, Edward A. and Vivian Nichols, Ted W. Nichols, and Andrew J. and Melanie Nichols, all of Newfields, NH. Also grandchildren Jason A. and Isabelle Nichols, Jessica L. Nichols, Rebecca J. and Chris Duggan, Caitlyn J. Nichols, and Anthony E. Nichols, along with 3 great grandchildren Bradlee, Lilly, and Avery. She was loved by her 7 sister-in-laws, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, January 3rd from 5 – 8 p.m. at Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home & Crematory, 77 Exeter Road (Route 108), Newmarket.
A Mass of Christian of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 4th at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 182 Main Street, Newmarket. Burial will follow in Piscassic Cemetery, Newfields.

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home & Crematory on Dec. 29, 2023.