Anita Maria Richards

1938 - 2026

Anita Maria (Behr) Richards

April 5, 1938 - February 8, 2026

BOLTON LANDING - Anita Maria (Behr) Richards passed away at home on February 8, 2026 with her family by her side.

Born in Alzey, Germany on April 5, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Maria (Domis) Behr and George Johannes Behr.

While pregnant with Anita, her mother Maria traveled to Germany following the passing of her own mother several months earlier. Anita was born there, and it was not until October 1938 that her father welcomed infant Anita to their home in New York City.

Both parents had each emigrated (immigrated) separately to the USA around 1928 and soon met in a night school English class. Their circle of German immigrant friends was large, so it was not surprising that Anita learned German as her first language.

Anita graduated in 1955 from Bolton Central School as valedictorian and winner of a Regents scholarship. At Syracuse University she majored in English-Education, graduated magna cum laude and studied for the next two years in Germany under a Fulbright Grant, two semesters at the Karls Universitaet in Tuebingen and two semesters at the Freie Universitaet in Berlin.

Mastery of the German language enabled her to converse easily with relatives, in what was at the time West and East Germany.

During spring 1960 Anita's mother visited relatives in Alzey, Frankfurt and near Cologne. During the annual Leipzig Trade Fair when foreigners were given entry to the city, Anita and her mother visited several of Anita's father's relatives in Leipzig, East Germany. Anita traveled over the summer and for holiday periods extensively in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Holland, and even as far as the Soviet Union (Russia) under the sponsorship of the American Youth Hostel. Returning home in 1961 on the S.S. America, she learned that a wall was being built through Berlin and along much of the border of East and West Germany. Future trips to the East involved special permits and limited stays.

While still in Germany, Anita applied for and was accepted for an English teaching position in Cobleskill, NY, where soon thereafter the German position became available. Summer school German-Education studies followed in Oneonta State College and Colgate University. In 1965 she received her Masters Degree in German from Middlebury.

On August 19, 1965 she married Charles O. Richards, high school counselor at Guilderland and subsequently moved to Altamont. Thereupon followed several years teaching German in Guilderland, Voorheesville and Shaker High Schools, as well as chaperoning a Guilderland student group on a trip to Germany.

Upon Charles' retirement in 1985, they moved to Anita's "Home Town" Bolton Landing on Lake George, developed Anita's parents' home into a Bed and Breakfast, and hosted guests for some 28 years.

Anita was named Administrative Director of the Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association from 1990 to 2003. In addition, she served as a museum guide, was editor of the museum newsletter for 16 years, developed and promoted the annual concerts of young performers, Secretary for the Board of Directors and held various volunteer positions in the organization until her retirement in 2019. Thereafter she was named to the Sembrich Board of Directors.

Over the years she enjoyed being a member of local church choirs wherever she lived and community choruses such as the Adirondack Voices, as well as member of The Bolton Book Club and Bolton Health Committee. She valued her vegetable garden and berry bushes as the source of winter treats from the freezer.

Anita was predeceased by a still born son and her husband of 60 years.

Survivors include her daughter Ann Richards; son Bobby Richards Jr.; grandchildren RC Vadney, Adam Weber, Charles Richards and Robert Richards; great grandchildren Andrew Vadney, RaeLynn Vadney, Joseph Weber and Ava Weber.

In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to: High Peaks Hospice, 1247 Dix Ave., Hudson Falls, NY 12839 and St. Peter's Hospital Foundation, Attn: Albany ALS Center, 310 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208.

Friends may call on Anita's family from 11am – 1pm, Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg, NY. A memorial service will be held following visitation at 1pm. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online condolences, guest book and directions.