Anita Pitney Fiorillo passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her beloved home in Chatham, New York, on July 7, 2025. She was 79 years old.

Anita was born on October 30, 1945, in New York City, the first child of the late Shelton Pitney Jr. of Morristown, New Jersey, and the late Barbara Bradley Manice of New York City. She spent most of her childhood in Manhattan and the New York suburbs, alongside her beloved younger brother, Shelton Pitney III. Several formative years were spent living in Mexico, where Anita became fluent in Spanish—a love of language and culture that shaped her life.

She attended the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, following in her mother's footsteps as a second-generation boarder, and graduated in 1963. She began college at Barnard College in New York and later completed her undergraduate degree at Empire State College in 1976. Her passion for archaeology led her to graduate studies at Columbia University, which included fieldwork in the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.

In 1966, Anita met her husband, John Fiorillo, while they were both working in the administration of New York City Mayor John Lindsay. Anita was serving as the Executive Assistant to the Commissioner of the Department of Marine and Aviation. The two married shortly thereafter and began a lifelong partnership that included the great joy of raising their daughter, Alexandra, and watching her grow into adulthood. Anita, John, and Alexandra shared a deep bond and a spirit of adventure that took them around the world together, from the jungles of Latin America to the landscapes of Africa.

Professionally, Anita spent most of her career with Arnold Saks Associates, a leading graphic design firm in New York City. She began as the Office Manager and rose to become Vice President and Director of Operations—a testament to her diligence, integrity, and deep care for the people she worked with.

In 1972, Anita and John discovered a charming house just outside the village of Chatham, New York, which became their weekend retreat from the city. Week after week, they made the journey North, and eventually, made it their full-time home. Anita quickly became a passionate and engaged member of the Columbia County community. She served on numerous boards and committees, including the Morris Memorial in Chatham, the Town of Chatham Recreation Committee, and the Spencertown Academy, where she co-chaired the beloved Revels winter dinner fundraiser. In addition to her local service, Anita was involved for several decades with the Goddard Riverside Community Center's Holiday Dinners program in New York City as well as numerous women's rights organizations, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the Service Dog Project. She was a steadfast believer in community and mutual care and she gave generously of her time and energy.

Anita was also a devoted gardener and puzzler. She could often be found in the early mornings on her kitchen couch with a mug of tea, working through The New York Times Spelling Bee. Of the last 696 puzzles she attempted, she achieved 695 Genius levels and 691 Queen Bees. The one left unfinished was interrupted only by her hospitalization.

Anita is survived by her husband of 56 years, John Fiorillo; her brother David O. Pitney and his wife, Barbara B. Pitney of Needham, MA; her brother, Maxwell Marston and his wife, Margot Marston of Stonington, CT; her sister-in-law, Ilonka Tumelaire; her daughter, Alexandra D. Fiorillo of Denver, Colorado; and her cherished granddaughter, Matilda "Tilly" Fiorillo, age 2½, whom she adored and wished she had more time to know. She is also survived by her beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and a wide circle of devoted lifelong friends and caregivers.

A celebration of Anita's life will be held in Columbia County in the fall of 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Columbia County Recovery Kitchen: https://columbiacountyrecoverykitchen.org/how-to-donate/.. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com