Anita Jean (Reed) Gariepy (59) of Newport, Vermont, passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm on March 2, 2024, surrounded by her loving sons, daughters-in-law, brother and niece. She was born on October 6, 1964 to Mae and Lyell Reed of Coventry, Vermont.

She was predeceased by her father, Lyell, her brother, Harley Bickford, sister, Enid Reed and sister, Vivian Brown. She is survived by her mother, Mae Reed, sisters Shirley Bickford Perry (David), Helen Bickford Lugano, Wendy Reed Ng (Jimmy) and Jean Shepard, a brother Lyell Reed (Jose), along with her sons, Ethan Gariepy (Mariah), Isaac Gariepy, and Aidan Gariepy (Emma), and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her "granddog," Reya.

Anita graduated from North Country Union High School in 1982, and then went on to study at the Community College of Vermont. She has held many occupations, including working as a real estate appraiser, a ski school receptionist, and most recently owning her own private business.

She was known for her love of her community, and participated in many events such as the Dandelion Run and the Winter Swims at Memphremagog, but she was most well known for her love of her children and nature. When her kids were young, Anita could be found creating and running play groups, bringing them to the local libraries, spending many hours outdoors hiking, camping, kayaking, skiing and swimming with them.

In recent years, Anita still spent many hours outdoors, taking her granddog on every adventure that she could with her partner, David. She loved spending time with her mother, Mae, and spending every opportunity that she could with her children. She is warmly remembered for her big outgoing personality and her big warm hugs.

A service will be held at Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home located at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Derby, Vermont on Saturday  March 16th, 2024 at 1:00pm. There will be a gathering after the funeral with light refreshments. A burial will happen at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in Anita's memory to either the Kingdom Games (PO Box 310, Newport, VT  05855) or the Pope Memorial Animal Shelter (243 Woods Farm Road, Newport, VT 05855). On-line condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.