Anita Woolley Green Waters died peacefully in her home in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey on July 15, 2026 in her 94th year of life.  Hers was a life well lived with tremendous generosity, humor, courage, strength and resilience.  She is well remembered by so many people who were fortunate to have known her.

Anita was born in Long Branch, New Jersey to Amelia Emma Woolley and Howard Francis Green, raised in a home with both sets of grandparents and her aunt under one roof – a “Walton’s by the sea”. She had a beautiful singing voice, a brilliant smile(after 5 years of braces), loved riding horses and swimming, hated sand and managed to be rebellious and obliging in a way that endeared her to family and friends. She was a graduate of Star of the Sea Academy, Long Branch High School and Wheelock College with several Masters degrees in Teaching and Special Education working over decades to continue learning at Columbia University and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Just one week after graduating from college, Anita and Leighton Kinsley Waters married at the Star of the Sea Church in Long Branch and began their life together.  They prioritized family above all else, traveling with their parents, finding sports and activities that encouraged and allowed for full family participation (sailing and skiing), creating communities with friends and their families that endure to this day. Anita was granted a life membership at Shrewsbury Sailing & Yacht Club for her and Leighton’s many contributions to the club and community.

Anita’s first teaching job was in the Red Bank Middle Schoolwhere she demonstrated her devotion to students with a specialpassion for children with learning disabilities.  She stepped out of the classroom for a few years while she and Leighton built their family of four children – Edna Mae, Anita, Leighton Jr. and Tom, but then somehow found time to do even more.  Anita was proud to have been voted Leaguer of the Year by the Monmouth County chapter of the Junior League.  She was one of the most popular CCD teachers in the area, offering cupcakes and soda with a smattering of bible study.  She managed to drive anyone who needed a ride to anything, anywhere – with no fear of trailing boats, the turnpike or midtown grid lock.

Anita and Leighton hosted elegant dinner parties, played bridge (competitively), organized neighborhood Easter egg hunts, planned excellent family adventures, raced together competitively (as Mom would repeat often to her husband and children on the water, “there is no place but first place”) and learned as an adult to ski on grass mats at Camp Arrowhead. She packed extraordinary lunches for school, for regattas, for the mountain, and always had extra of everything for anyone in need. She stocked a cupboard for the entire neighborhood. She believed always in calling and talking with a person to get the best table, engaging store clerks immediately upon entry and routinely cajoled people from ‘no’ to ‘yes’ with a winning attitude.  Her aggressive hospitality sometimes embarrassed her children but looking back, her thoughtful and inclusive nature was very special.

After losing her husband Leighton to cancer at 45, she wouldlive another 49 years that were filled with the joys of birthdays, holidays, weddings, graduations, family vacations, and grandchildren.  Anita would never miss a grandchild’s field hockey, lacrosse, soccer or football game, dance or piano recitalor babysitting opportunity.  On ski holidays, she entertained the younger grandchildren in the base box, chatted with everyone else in the place, and managed always to save seating for her crew for lunch. At all events involving family she demanded to be seated in the front row.  There was no way to say no to her generous seafood platters and floral centerpieces for holiday gatherings. Setting and dressing the family table brought her tremendous joy.

Anita would also experience additional heartbreak, burying two of her children, Edna Mae and Tom.  Anita’s superpower has always been in her ability to move through loss and challenging circumstances with a steady eye on the horizon, stoic optimism, and determination. Grit and goodness, a strong temperament, and a fierce devotion to her family, she saw no way but forward.  As she moves forward again, she leaves behind her son, Leighton, daughter, Anita, grandchildren Leighton III and Elizabeth, Amelia, Sophie and Penelope, step grandchildren Olivia and Luke, Leighton’s wife Alison and Anita’s husband, Steve, and many others who love her dearly.  She is an indelible part of all our spirits.

Funeral services will be private.