Anita Moore January 15, 1938 - May 11, 2025

Anita Moore, a beloved sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, at the age of 87. Born on January 15, 1938, in Payson, Utah, Anita’s life was marked by resilience, joy, and an enduring sense of humor that brought light to those around her.

From a young age, Anita faced challenges due to thyroid-related health issues that led to mental disability. Yet, she never let adversity define her—she embraced life with a sweetness and playfulness that made her truly unforgettable. Raised on a farm in Payson, Anita’s childhood was filled with simple and cherished experiences. She fondly recalled churning butter, making homemade candy and soap, and warming her feet on the old coal stove during cold winter nights. In the 1940s, a historic snowfall nearly reached the rooftops, shutting down schools for a week. She vividly remembered her father forging paths through deep snow to care for their animals, carrying hot water to thaw frozen troughs so the cows and pigs could drink.

Anita learned the value of hard work early, waking each morning to deliver the Salt Lake Tribune, sometimes cranking the car just to get it started before her route. In an era before television, she and her siblings created their own entertainment, playing Ante Eye Over, Mother May I, Hide and Seek, and Kick the Can.

She graduated from Payson Junior High School and Payson Senior High School and later worked at Deseret Industries and several jobs in Provo and Spanish Fork. Anita had a way of bringing laughter and warmth into any room, endearing herself to those around her with her own funny way. She had a particular love for little children, delighting in their innocent joy.

She was preceded in death by her father, Maeser Huish Moore; her mother, Claribel Hurst Moore; her stepmother, Bessie Brown Moore; her brothers, Sam and Blaine; and her sister, Mary Ann. She is survived by her loving sister, Barbara Malstrom of Rexburg, Idaho.

The family deeply appreciates the care and kindness shown to Anita in her later years, especially by the staff at Legacy House in Spanish Fork and Stonehenge in Springville.

A graveside service will be held in her honor on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Payson, Utah cemetery.

Though Anita’s challenges were many, her spirit was even greater. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, kindness, and the enduring strength that comes from a life well-loved.