Anita M. (Blais) Ingraham, 96, of Salem, MA, died peacefully on October 8, 2024, with beloved daughter Joan by her side. Born on January 10, 1928, in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Albert Blais and Irma (Tremblay) Blais. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Charles R. Ingraham, Jr., with whom she shared 54 years of marriage.
Anita was an avid reader and lifelong learner with a deep appreciation for foreign cultures and natural curiosity about people and their stories. She enjoyed traveling to Canada to connect with her parents’ extended family, and ventured as well to Italy, France, Poland and England. Her favorite destination was her lakefront cottage in Ossipee, NH, which she fondly called Paradise, and where she could indulge in her love of swimming.
Fulfilling her dream of a college education, Anita earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French at Salem State College, with a semester abroad in Caen, France, after her three daughters had completed their degrees. Supporting French-Canadian and Franco-American heritage in Salem, she was a long time Member of Club Richelieu of Salem.
Anita had many interests. She was an excellent seamstress. She loved knitting and crocheting, giving away dozens of scarves over the years. Anita would take classes on just about anything offered by Salem’s Adult Education program. She was a regular volunteer at church and library fairs and enjoyed helping out at local thrift shops.
Anita is survived by daughters Joan M. Ingraham of Salem and Kathleen M. Petrowicz and her husband, John, of Rowley; three grandsons: Brian Petrowicz, his wife Mayara and children Sawyer and Stellan; Jeffrey Petrowicz, his wife Janet and children Maxwell and Vivienne; Michael Petrowicz and his wife Ekaterina; and two granddaughters: April Costa and her partner Elaine Harvey; Lindsay Khodabandeh and her husband Masih.
Anita was pre-deceased by daughter Layne M. Ingraham, brother Armand Blais, and nephews Robert and Richard Blais.
Our family is grateful to the support and kindness of hospice staff from Care Dimensions for helping us honor Anita’s wish to be at home.
Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Route 114 / 1-A] Salem, on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM , with her. Services to follow in the funeral home. Kindly consider a gift in her memory to Care Dimensions,75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. Condolences may be left at www.levesquefunerals.com.