HOLDERNESS, NH - Friends and family honor the life of a dearly beloved wife, mother, sister, friend, maker, adventurer, and healer. On October 26, 2026, Anita Louise (Delzio) Furbush died suddenly from health complications caused by cancer.

To know Anita was to know a joyful spirit, a tight hug, and a warm meal. She loved easily, laughed freely, and opened her home and heart to many. All who love her now carry her light forward in their lives.

Anita was born on April 11, 1958. She was the fifth of seven children born to Michael and Antoinette Delzio in a boisterous home in Somers, NY, filled with loud laughter, friends and neighbors, and Italian cooking. She cherished her family and joyfully maintained strong bonds with her siblings and extended family throughout her life.

During one of many adventures with her sister Barb, Anita met Michael Furbush, and started what would become a deeply committed partnership. They married in 1981, and Anita, with her quilting supplies in tow, joined Mike at sea aboard a merchant ship. For the first seven years of their marriage, they explored the open ocean and the world, trekking in Nepal, waterskiing on the Red Sea, and backpacking in Hawaii.

Later, Anita and Mike landed in Houston, TX while Anita pursued her master's degree in physical therapy. There, they began their most fulfilling shared adventure, becoming parents, when Kate was born in 1992. The three relocated to Holderness, NH, and became a family of four when Ann was born in 1996.

Anita had so much fun being a mom. For her, mothering meant there was a whole room in the house just for crafts; home-cooked dinners every night; an open door for friends; homemade dolls, toys, costumes, and quilts; dancing; and silliness.

In all her relationships, Anita shared a vulnerable openness, warm generosity, and effortless kindness - qualities that led to many deep, meaningful, and long-lasting friendships.

Anita thoroughly loved life, and on any given day could be found hiking in the White Mountains, swimming or paddleboarding on Squam Lake, canoeing with Mike, or cross-country skiing with friends. She hiked all of New Hampshire's 48 four-thousand-foot peaks, many with her daughters, friends, and hiking group of self-proclaimed Wild Women!

No matter what season of life Anita was in, there was art and creativity. She discovered weaving, and seemingly overnight, there was a loom in almost every room of the house, and she joined a weaving group. She wove beautiful fabric that she made into clothes, towels, curtains, scarves, napkins, and baby blankets, ready to celebrate every milestone. If you stopped by the house, she always had her latest project ready to show you.

Another source of joy for Anita was in her life's work as a physical therapist. She opened her own practice to ensure she had enough time one-on-one with each patient. Always continuing to learn and grow in her work, she often shared how deeply satisfying it was to help ease the ailments of the people in her community.

Anita's death leaves many both heartbroken and full of gratitude for her life, including her husband, Mike; daughters, Kate and Ann; son-in-law, Matt; siblings and their spouses, Tom (Cathy), Steve (Mary), Barb, Michael (Alicia), Matt (Gina), and Lisa; sisters-in-law Kristi and Martha (Danielle); extended family; local community; hiking group; weaving group; patients; and countless friends.

A Celebration of Anita's life will take place at Camp Deerwood on Deerwood Rd in Holderness, NH on Saturday, November 21st, the 45th anniversary of Anita and Mike's wedding. In the spirit of Anita, all are welcome to join, gather, and celebrate her life and light. Welcome and coffee start at 10am, and ceremony at 11am, with lunch, campfire, art, and a contemplative walk around camp to follow. The lodge may be chilly, please dress in warm layers (colorful and comfortable) and, per the venue's request, do not wear high heels. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to bring a contribution (letter, photo, art) to add to a collective scrapbook in honor of Anita (to mail in, email annormsbee@gmail.com for more information).