ANITA R. BENWARE (GABLE)

     Anita R. (Gable) Benware, 85, of Sterling, passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Emerson Hospital in Concord. Born and raised in Clinton, Anita was the daughter of Robert H. and Stella (Lavoie) Gable and lived the last 23 years in Sterling.

She leaves her companion and best friend, Kenneth Day of Sterling; three sons, Kenneth R. Livesay and longtime companion, Deborah Zipkin of Southbridge, James D. Livesay and wife, Paula of Winchendon, and Richard D. Livesay and his wife, Scarlett of Winchendon; a daughter in law Tina (Gonyea) Livesay; a brother, Robert T. Gable and his wife, Lorraine of Indiana; nine grandchildren, Liana, Eric, Kimberly, Tracy, James, Karen, Christopher, Tara, and Kevin; several great grandchildren; nephews and nieces. Her beloved husband, Clyde G. Benware died in 1985. Besides her husband she was predeceased by two sons, Kevin P. and Russell C. Livesay, Jr., and two sisters, Janet Flood and Grace Maisonet.

Anita attended Catholic school and later received a GED. She worked several years at Wachusett Potato Chip Company formerly of Clinton. While raising her family, Anita worked at Van Brode Company and Nypro both in Clinton, and the Perkins School in Lancaster. She was an active member of the First Church in Sterling where she served on the Fellowship Board and looked forward to volunteering at the annual sidewalk sale. Anita spent the last several years advocating for seniors as a member of the Sterling Council on Aging. She enjoyed music, reading, and was particularly fond of crocheting baby infant sweaters which won her several blue ribbons.

She loved collie dogs and had many interests including watching NASCAR racing, collecting stuffed animals, and following professional baseball. Anita had no choice but to have a good sense of humor raising five highly spirited young boys while working full-time. She was often heard saying “you have to let boys be boys” while watching them fix a carburetor or other car parts on her kitchen table. Anita made sure that her son’s friends were always welcomed at their home. It was considered “the gathering point” by the neighborhood boys, which by no accident she could keep an eye on her young men.

Anita rarely met anyone she didn’t consider a friend. As an extrovert, she enjoyed the company of others and the good conversation that would follow. She radiated a heartwarming smile and will be remembered for her kind nature, generosity, and enthusiasm for life.

A funeral service honoring Anita’s life will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, April 8, at the First Church in Sterling, 6 Meetinghouse Hill Rd., Sterling, immediately followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall. Interment will be held later at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Church in Sterling, 6 Meetinghouse Hill Rd., Sterling, MA 01564.