Anita Maria Bonacorsi Teeter

TEETER, Anita Maria Bonacorsi 78, died peacefully June 12, 2009 after a long illness. Anita was born in Lawrence, MA, on June 15, 1930. She was a woman full of life and love, with a smile for everyone. She grew up the child of millworkers in Lawrence, MA, in a large extended family of Sicilian immigrants.She attended Lawrence High School and through hard work and determination was the first in her family to attend college, winning a full scholarship to Radcliffe College Anita earned a Bachelor's degree from Radcliffe and, in 1966, a graduate degree in elementary education from Harvard. Anita taught elementary school in inner city Boston for almost 30 years. A tireless advocate for children, throughout her teaching career Anita worked to address the needs of economically disadvantaged children, and children of color. She was an educational pioneer, introducing black and women's history into her curriculum. Following her retirement she offered consultation to teachers in curriculum development . She also volunteered as an adult literacy tutor and in a day-care center for homeless children. Her activism for children was not limited to the local area. Anita sponsored many children from third-world countries, and visited Guatemala to further her connection with some of them. She welcomed international exchange students into her home regularly. In 1997, at age 67 she attended the Stand for Children - Million Mom March in Washington D.C. She regularly attended opera, theater, museums and concerts. When she couldn't attend events, she listened to her beloved jazz, classical, and folk music at home. When traveling abroad, whether to Italy, Scandinavia, or Japan, Anita was sure to delve into the culture of the people. Anita had a strong commitment to her family. She was married in 1951 to Karl van Duyn Teeter, who became a professor of linguistics at Harvard University. After spending time in Japan when Karl was drafted during the Korean War, she moved with him to Berkeley, California. She gave birth to two daughters, Katharine and Judith, then moved to Cambridge in 1959, where she gave birth to twin daughters, Teresa and Martha. Anita lived in Cambridge with her family for 49 years. Anita is pre-deceased by her husband Karl V. Teeter, who died in 2007. She leaves behind four loving daughters, Katharine Emilie Teeter Thomas of Cambridge, MA, Judith Ann Teeter of Pittsburgh, PA, Teresa Maria Teeter Sargent of Jaffrey, NH, and Martha Elisabeth Cregan of North Reading, MA, as well as twelve grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17 at the Arlington Street Church, 351 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Anita's name to the Children's Defense Fund www.childrensdefense.org or the child-centered organization of your choice.