Obituary of Anita Louise Lehto

Anita Louise Lehto, 59, of Lynn and formerly of Peabody, died early Tuesday morning at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers following a brief illness. Born in Peabody she was the daughter of Frances (Dluznieski) Lehto of Salem and the late Eino Lehto. She was raised and educated in Peabody and was a graduate of Peabody High School, class of 1967. After high school, Anita attended Salem State College and graduated in 1971 with a degree in English. In 1972, she received her Masters Degree in English from Boston College and in 1991; she received her Masters Degree in Library Science from the University of Rhode Island. In the mid 1970’s Anita lived in Baltimore and in the 1980’s she returned to Massachusetts and worked for 8 years at the Lynn Public Library. She later worked at the Stoughton Public Library from 1991 until her retirement in 2007. She has lived in Lynn for the past 2 years. Anita was a well rounded person who loved to read, travel and sing. She helped create and run book discussion groups whose favorite author was Jane Austin and was a veracious reader. She also enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, and Mexico. While in College she was a member of the Salem State College Glee Club, was also a member of the Old Music Society in Stoughton, and loved to listen to classical music. She loved to sing and often sang with choirs and choral groups throughout the areas she lived in. Besides her loving mother, she is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Patricia Lehto of San Antonio, TX, a sister and brother-in-law, Monica and Robert Gagnon of Naples, FL, her nieces and nephew, Jennifer LaFlamme of Hollis, NH, Rebecca Graham of Hillsboro, NH, Deanna DiTroia of Newburyport, MA, Holly Lehto of San Antonio, TX, Giles Lehto of Crestwood, KY, and Jessica Lehto of Louisville, KY and is also survived by 3 great nieces. Following cremation, her Memorial Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 10:00 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Church, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 5:00 until 8:00 PM. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St, Danvers, MA 01923.