Anita Claire Hussey

Anita Claire (Binette) Hussey, best known as "Bear" and "Great Grammy Bear," after her great-grandchildren were born, passed away at age 88 on February 27, 2023 at Avery Heights in Hartford, CT.

Anita was born in Plymouth, New Hampshire on September 12, 1934, the oldest daughter of Bernadette "Bunny" (Dargy) and Henri "Pete" Binette. She graduated from Plymouth Teachers College (now known as Plymouth State University) in Plymouth, NH, receiving an Elementary Education Degree, and for a year she taught 4th grade in Dover, NH.

In 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Bob, and they moved to Hartford, CT, where Bob had a job in the insurance industry. They later moved to Springfield, MA, where they lived for 20 years. Eventually, they returned to New Hampshire and settled in Gilford, NH. Bob passed away in 1986, and in 2006, after her mother "Nana B.", passed, Anita moved to Connecticut.

Anita and Bob had three children; Steven, Susan and Lynne. Anita is predeceased by her husband of 29 years, Robert C. Hussey (1986), her son, Steven (2011), and her sister, Lucille (Binette) Moody (2016).

She leaves behind her daughter, Susan Partridge and her husband Bob of Wethersfield, CT, daughter Lynne Connelly of Hartford, CT and her best friend, Kieran Connelly of NYC, her daughter-in-law Marybeth Hussey and her partner, Bob Knoegel of West Hartford, CT.

Her beloved grandchildren in order of oldest to youngest; Deidre Hussey and her fiancé Jake McNulty of Natick, MA; Ryan Partridge and his wife, Alison, of Sandy Hook, CT and their two children, Miles and Emery; Megan (Hussey) Heinrich and her husband, Sean of Worcester, MA; Kelly (Partridge) daCunha of Wethersfield, CT and her husband Thomas and their son, Thomas "T.J."; Erin Hussey and Steve Robinson of Newton, MA, and Molly Rose Partridge of Wethersfield, CT (whom Gram loved to the moon and back!).

Anita also leaves behind her kid sister, Marie Monier, of Gilford, NH. Marie and Anita made several trips to NYC together with one memorable time seeing Frank Sinatra in concert at Radio City Music Hall, shared a cottage together on Bear Island (Lake Winnipesaukee) in the 1980's, and gathered for annual family vacations at Wells Beach, Maine, that continue to this day.

She also leaves behind many wonderful nieces and nephews in the Monier and Moody families, all of whom enjoyed their "Aunt Nita's" fun sense of humor. Lastly, she leaves behind Canadian crooner, Michael Bublé, whose good looks and lively music brought lots of joy to her life over the past several years!

Her passion was her grandchildren. The kids would visit her in New Hampshire during the summer months and spend time on the lake, swimming at Weirs Beach, playing at Funspot Arcade, and breakfast at the Soda Shoppe.

An avid bear collector, Anita most enjoyed time with her family and her many friends, listening to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, and of course Michael Bublé, her three trips to Ireland, dancing, listening to live music, and in the old days, enjoying a Captain and Diet Coke with extra lime in a tall glass, and always enjoyed nature, watching the birds and the leaves change colors in the fall.

For many years Anita worked at the Sundial Shop in Laconia, NH, the Bending Birch and volunteered at Saint Francis Nursing Home, running the gift shop, and volunteered with the United Way and the NH Cancer Society.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to Bill Thompson and the staff at Avery Heights, Noble 2, especially to longtime aides Carmen and Josephine, and her nurses over the years; Michelle, Yesenia, Lisa and her evening nurse, Heather; also, Molly in Recreation and Jennifer Kennedy and her staff, as well as the compassionate team from Hartford HealthCare Hospice. Lastly, a sincere thanks to family friend, Kate Bello, for her support and friendship, transitioning Anita into her new home at Avery Heights.

In the words of our Mom, "love you, miss you, keep in touch!"

There are no services at this time. In the warmer months, the family will travel to Plymouth, New Hampshire, where Anita will be laid to rest in the town that she loved so much, alongside her husband, Bob.

Memorial donations may be made to Anita's son Steven's memorial non-profit, which was created by Steven's family after his passing. Please send check to: Stroke, Rehabilitation and Healing, LLC, P.O. Box 2933, Worcester, MA 01613. Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, is serving the family. Please visit us at www.duksa.net to share your sympathy