Anita H. Kester

PEABODY -- Mrs. Anita H. (Humphrey) Kester, age 93, of Peabody and formerly of Swampscott, died on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019 at the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. She resided at Brooksby Village in Peabody for the past 17 years. Anita was the wife of the late Waldemar C. Kester, who predeceased her in 1991, and with whom she shared more than 43 years of marriage.  Born and raised in Auburn, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Eugene W. and Amy I. (White) Humphrey. She graduated from Edward Little High School in Lewiston, Maine, Class of 1944, with high honors. Passing on a full scholarship offer to Bates College, Anita chose instead to help the WWII effort by pursuing and receiving a degree in nursing (with honors) from the esteemed Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing. While at MGH as a student nurse working in the veteran's wing, she met the love of her life and future husband. They married in 1947 and later moved to Swampscott where they raised their two children.  Anita worked for 30 years at various local and Boston hospitals which included 15 years as an IV nurse at Lynn Hospital before making a career move to become a research clinician at the Shriner's Burn Institute. There, she was instrumental in the development of growing skin grafts. After receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (with high honors) from Salem State College in 1969, she spent the rest of her career in the medical insurance industry at Blue Cross Blue Shield, retiring as Associate Chief of Claims, a job she truly loved.   Imbued with a passion for lifelong learning, Anita attended many lectures given at Brooksby Village, Hamilton Hall, MGH and the Peabody Essex Museum. She enjoyed attending theater productions in both Boston and at the North Shore Music Theater. Anita was also a lifetime member of the Swampscott Historical Society and the Lord Humphrey House, since she was a distant niece of Lord Humphrey. However, traveling the world and learning about other cultures and their histories proved to be her ultimate teacher. She managed to visit six continents and more than 80 countries, and compiled detailed, photographic travel logs of her trips to share with friends and family.  Anita was a dedicated philanthropist, donating to many charities throughout her lifetime. While living in Swampscott she was a proud supporter of Swampscott athletics and helped with their booster program and, for many years, she was a faithful communicant at the Church of the Holy Name. At BBV, she was an active member of the welcoming committee, a founding member of the classical music committee and a member of the religious community.  Most assuredly, however, Anita's greatest accomplishments revolved around her roles as a dedicated and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor. Her ability, effort and devotion to these roles earned her the esteem and admiration of her entire family and all who knew and loved her. Her tenacity to excel in all she endeavored, her devotion to education, her love of family and her compassionate nature stand as a role model worth emulating for us all and is her greatest legacy. Anita is survived by her loving children, Walter Carl Kester and his wife Jane of Concord and Karen Spieler and her husband David of Winchester; her beloved grandchildren, Kelsey Kester Calhoun, Eric Kester, Kirsten Kester, Andrew Spieler and Michael Spieler; her cherished great-grandchildren, Mary Fiona, Graham, Alden and Indiana Rose; her brother, William Humphrey of Auburn, Maine; her brother-in-law, Victor Kester; her sister-in-law, Gloria Humphrey; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. She was the sister of the late Walter Humphrey.  Service information: Anita's wake will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019 in the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 67 Ocean St. (Route 1A), Lynn, from 3-7 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Funeral service in Church of the Holy Name and burial in Swampscott Cemetery will be private. Donations in her memory may be made to the MGH Institute Fund"?Nursing (MGH Institute of Health Professions, Charleston Navy Yard, 36 1st Ave., Boston, MA 02129-2947) and the Brooksby Village Benevolent Care Fund (Brooksby Village, 100 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody, MA 01960). Directions and online guestbook at www.solimine.com.