St. George, UT - She lived fully, with love and creativity toward life and humanity. Born on August 8, 1932 in Brockton, Massachusetts, daughter and first child of Elinor Stedman Gurney and Fred Packard Gurney, she grew up with her two brothers, Stephen Packard Gurney and James Stedman Gurney as proud New England Yankees. Surrounded by the beauty and culture of New England, she graduated as Pres. of her class at The Walnut Hill Preparatory School, in 1950. Four years later, she completed her undergraduate studies at Connecticut College for Women, (now co-ed) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Fine Arts. For two of those college summers, she traveled in Europe, and on the other two, she continued as a summer camp counselor and ass't. Waterfront Director in New Hampshire. Shortly thereafter, she was accepted in the Executive Training Program in merchandising for Lord and Taylor in New York City, where she became a Junior Exec. and remained for two years. After traveling through the U.S. with two former college friends for three months, they took up residence in San Francisco where Anita became a Dept. Manager at a major dept. store in downtown San Francisco. She met and married Grant Thorsen, who became the father of her two daughters, Andrea Smith and Talia Thorsen of Dana Point, Calif. After Grant's death due to Multiple Sclerosis, Anita met and married Dr. Alfred W. Painter, college professor extraordinaire. Together, they were very active in the affairs of the Newport Beach/Costa Mesa area, and for 12 summers led 35 to 50 college age students to Europe. Both were cited many times for their outstanding teaching, and won many awards. Dr. Al was cited as one of the most influential figures in that area for his civic work and college activities, while Anita was declared "Teacher of the Year" several times for her teaching at Corona Del Mar High School. In semi-retirement, 1992, they moved to St. George, Utah seeking a smaller, friendly "peaceable kingdom." Living on their three acres in Dammeron Valley, they knew they had found exactly where they should be in this chapter of their lives. Anita founded a community newspaper, "The Valley Voice," which she continued for seven years. During that time, she initiated the Dammeron Valley Women's Group and a number of adjunct activities. In addition to raising money for The American Cancer Society, she also liked youth programs to help the kids of the Valley which included Leadership Academy and Leadership Dixie and her new venture a grant given to the Learning Center to increase services to young women and underprivileged families. Anita was a wonderful swimmer who achieved many medals from the Huntsman World Senior Games. She was an artist, loved horses, animals, and helping others, but most of all a wonderful Mom whose life was cut way too short from Leukemia due to complications of pneumonia. She is survived by her husband Dr. Alfred Painter, daughters Andrea Smith of Dana Point, CA; Talia Thorsen, also of Dana Point, CA; step-daughter Joni Younie of Lafayette, LA. Grandsons Justin Smith and Brandon Smith, Mother Elinor Gurney and Brother James Gurney of Palm Springs, CA. Funeral Services will be held on Friday May 14th, 2010, at Grace Episcopal Church in St. George, Utah at 2 p.m. or contact Metcalf Mortuary (435) 673-4221. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Learning Center for Families. Please contact Debbie Justice, (435) 673-5353, ext. 20.