Anita L. Pesce

Anita L. (Simone) Pesce, 83, of the Plantsville section of Southington, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 3, 2026. She was the loving wife of Vito Pesce for nearly 60 years. Anita was born on June 27, 1943 in New Britain, CT to the late Louis and Mary (D’Amato) Simone.

She earned her teaching degree from Central Connecticut State University and with her sister, Karen Angelo, was the owner/operator of Bright Beginnings Daycare in Plantsville for over 30 years. Anita was a longtime parishioner of St. Aloysius Church in Plantsville where she enjoyed volunteering for events such as their church picnic. She was also a member of the Junior Women’s League.

Anita enjoyed time with her family, especially her five grandchildren, her weekly breakfasts with her group of girlfriends, gardening, time at their beach house and reading. She was a frequent visitor to the Southington Library. She will be remembered for the love she showed for her family and friends and her many contributions to her community. In addition to her husband Vito, Anita is survived by three children: son, Christopher Pesce and his wife Donna of Orange County, California; daughter, Alisa Neely of Needham, Massachusetts and daughter, Aimee Della Bitta and her husband Paul of Carlsbad, California and five grandchildren, Isabella and Eve Neely, Sophia Pesce and Eli and Georgia Della Bitta. She is also survived by her sister, Karen Angelo and her husband Raymond of Cheshire and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Anita’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/) or to Bread for Life (https://breadforlife.us/). 

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church, 254 Burritt St., Plantsville. Burial will be in St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. Calling hours will be from 5 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at the Plantsville Funeral Home. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.