Anita Jean Greenbaum

Anita Jean (Smith) Greenbaum passed away on June 4, 2026, at the age of 102.

Anita was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on May 18, 1924, to Rose (“Smithy”) Smith and Abraham George (“Smitty”) Smith. After graduating Lawrence High School, she attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1945. She met her beloved late husband Morris A. Greenbaum (“MoMo”) when they needed a “fourth” for a bridge game when he returned from his military service in the Solomon Islands. After living in Charlottesville, Virginia where Morris attended law school (and where their older son Robert was born), they moved to Lawrence (where their younger son Steven was born). Around 1953, the family moved to Newton where Anita and Morris resided for the rest of their lives. While caring for her sons and household, Anita was very active in the Anti-Vietnam War movement, having been arrested three times for blocking draft boards or trains. During those years, Anita and some friends operated a “Peace Boutique” on Washington Street in Newton, supporting anti-war candidates and demonstrations. She was a close friend of Father Drinan and worked on the early campaigns of John Kerry and Barney Frank. Anita was a elected a delegate to the Democratic Conventions in 1972 and 1976. From a hotel suite she shared with Norman Mailer and several of her friends, she watched the riot on the street below during the 1968 Democratic Convention (“The whole world is watching”). For over 90 years Anita enjoyed the company of her buddy Sylvia Levine of blessed memory, from growing up together in Lawrence, to living in Newton with their families.

Anita loved music. At 17 years old she sang on a local Lowell/Lawrence radio station on the show “Fifteen Minutes with Anita.” She was a pretty good piano player, and played until she was 100, with her son Steven playing saxophone for duets at Evans Park assisted living.

Anita hosted bridge games, and then many, many poker games, and then many, many, many Scrabble Games- she was somewhat of a champion. There was seldom a dull moment when Anita was around and her home was constantly filled with family, friends, and joy.

Anita was dearly loved by her family. Anita’s son Steven passed away in August of 2025, and Anita was also preceded in death by her husband and her sisters Alice Stern and Shirley (“Tudi”) Feldman. Anita is survived by her son Robert Greene (and his wife Sara Kleinberg), Steven’s wife Caryl Isenberg, five grandchildren (Rachel Greene, Daniel Greenbaum, Rebecca Greene, Sarah Chareski, Leah (Greene) Crouch (and her husband Adam Crouch), and five great grandchildren (Hannah, Eli, Danica, Shalva, Azriel), and her nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 12:45 PM. Reception will immediately follow the services at Temple Israel, 125 Pond Street, Sharon.