Anita Martinoli Scanga, 78, passed away peacefully on Christmas morning, Dec. 25, 2023, at Beehive Homes in Parker, Colo., after a lengthy battle with posterior cortical atrophy and Alzheimer’s disease. Anita was born in Revere, Mass., on Oct. 30, 1945, to Albert (Rusty) and Ida Martinoli. She attended Springfield College where she attained her B.S. degree and teacher’s certificate in 1967 and subsequently her M.A. degree from Adams State College. She met her husband and lifelong partner Samuel Scanga in New Hampshire while Sam was serving in the U.S. Army. They married on Nov. 2, 1968, at the First Baptist Church in Revere and moved to Colorado. Anita was a dedicated wife and mother along with being an elementary and middle school geography teacher. Anita retired from teaching in Pagosa Springs, Colo., in 2003 after teaching in the Route, Moffat and San Juan County school districts. Following retirement, Anita and Sam moved to Poncha Springs, Colo., to fulfill Sam’s retirement dreams of ranching on the Scanga Family ranch. Anita loved to travel and was looking forward to being closer to her children and grandchildren in northern Colorado. Unfortunately, her ability to drive and travel independently was cut short by the loss of her vision. Despite the loss of her eyesight, Anita loved knitting and reading, and you could often find her listening to audio books and working yarn with her fingers. After Sam’s passing in 2018, Anita stayed at their home in Poncha Springs until 2021, when she moved to Beehive Homes in Parker, Colo., for full-time living assistance.
Anita is survived by her caring and loving daughters, Rebecca (Robert) Montoya and Lisa Scanga, and her son, John (Chauna) Scanga, in addition to her five grandchildren: Megan Montoya, Sam Scanga, Ian Scanga, Madison Montoya and Benjamin Hatfield. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam; brother John Martinoli; and parents Albert and Ida Martinoli, with whom she has been reunited with for all eternity.
In lieu of flowers or cards, donations can be made in Anita’s name to the Friends of Colorado Talking Book Library at https://www.friendsofctbl.org/.
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’ — Luke 2: 9-11.
“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord.” — Jeremiah 30:17.
