Anita D. Buchanan, (née Maistrellis), 82, passed away November 28 at the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by love and holding her daughter’s hand. Daughter of the late George and Rena Maistrellis, Anita was raised in Beverly Farms and graduated from Beverly High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on American literature from Boston University. A talented ballet dancer in her youth, Anita’s grace and discipline were evident throughout her life.
Anita began her career teaching English in the Quincy Public Schools and working with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' migrant education program during summers. Her passion for teaching, eloquence, and natural ability to connect with others propelled her into the high-tech industry. Initially recruited to train sales teams, Anita built a successful career spanning more than three decades in media relations, marketing, and investor relations. She held leadership roles at both start-ups and multinational corporations, where she spearheaded global sales initiatives, directed multimillion-dollar advertising and PR campaigns, and served as a corporate liaison to investors. Anita founded two public relations firms and remained active professionally until her retirement in her seventies. Thereafter, she served her community on the board of her condominium association in West Palm Beach, Florida.
When asked about her life, however, Anita rarely mentioned her career. Instead, she told everyone that she was “the luckiest person in the world” and that she loved her life. She was married for 57 wonderful years to the love of her life, Thomas M. Buchanan. Together, they shared homes in Brookline, Peabody, Manchester-by-the-Sea, West Palm Beach, and, finally, Danvers, Massachusetts.
Anita is survived by her loving family, including her son, Jason Buchanan, and his partner, Lindsay Merrill, of Merrimac, MA, and their son, Owen; her daughter, Bailey Buchanan, of Manchester-by-the-Sea, and her cherished grandsons, Konrad, Tristan, and Jagger Nowak. She also leaves her brother, William Maistrellis; her nieces, Raina McManus (and her husband, Michael, and their children, Hera and husband Matty, and Tycho and wife Julissa), and Elisa Maistrellis; nephews Benjamin Murray and Nate Murray (and his wife, Keri, and their children); and her nephews, Andrew, Christopher, and Patrick; and her nieces, Anne, Jessica, Jane, Rebecca, Jill, Heather, Jennifer and Ashley. Anita was predeceased by her beloved sister, Gail Murray.
Anita devoted her life to the well-being of her family and friends. She had “oceans of love” for her grandsons, who adored her in return. While Anita made friends wherever she lived, her treasured friendship with her childhood friend, Elaine, was lifelong. An avid NFL fan, she impressed many with her encyclopedic knowledge of the game. She loved the ocean, vacationing in St. Martin, cheering on the Boston Celtics, and immersing herself in cinema and literature. She found strength in Hemingway, solace in Wordsworth, and inspiration in Shakespeare, particularly Sonnet 116. Her own stories, often concluding with the refrain, “We had fun. We laughed a lot,” reflected her unwavering optimism and joyful spirit. Anita approached life and people with generosity and grace, guided by her belief in the innate goodness of others. Anita loved and was loved “beyond measure.”
A visiting hour will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m., on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Kaplan Family Hospice House.
For more information, directions, or to leave condolences, please visit www.campbellfuneral.com.
