Anita Mattson

Anita Mattson, age 75, of Abingdon, Maryland, passed away on January 3, 2025, at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, Maryland. 

Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, Anita was the daughter of the late John and Anne (Raisner) Mattson. Anita is survived by her son, Richard Cucchiara, and his girlfriend Sherri Frazier, sister-in-law, Dixie Mattson, nephew, Chris Mattson, and niece, Lois Anderson. In addition to her parents, Anita was preceded in death by her brother, Ronald Mattson, and her nephew, Eric Mattson.

Anita was raised in Bayonne, where she had gone to grammar school and high school. Anita's career took her to Manhattan, New York City, where she worked for the Federal Reserve Bank after graduating from Bayonne High School. After leaving the Federal Reserve Bank to start a family and spending approximately 10 years as a housewife and raising her son, during which time she modeled part time for Barbizon, she returned to Manhattan, working at several money brokerage houses downtown, and then at Banker's Trust, in upper midtown Manhattan, during the 1980s. She was beautiful on the outside and even moreso on the inside. 

In her personal life, Anita enjoyed a variety of simple pleasures. She found comfort in relaxing and watching movies, as well as watching religious television, and listening to 80's music at times to help her to be in good spirits. Anita loved the snow, had a fondness for ice skating, and took solace in praying the rosary. She looked forward to the visits from her son at her house and the rehabilitation center. She enjoyed her son taking her shopping and to her medical appointments almost every other Friday. Just being together, talking, and eating a fast food meal together was enough for them, making those days very special. Anita enjoyed talking on the phone with friends and family members. Anita loved animals, was a vegetarian, and enjoyed spending time with her cats. Despite being afflicted with schizoaffective disorder and the pain from arthritis and joint problems, Anita would always make sure to feed the outdoor animals near her house in addition to her cats. Her love and kindness extended to animals, and even insects, of all kinds, and she was known for her compassion and generosity toward all living things, including the people around her. 

Above all, Anita treasured time spent with her son. Anita and her son were best friends, and Anita cherished the numerous daily phone conversations they would have, talking for hours each day and night, simply enjoying each other's company. Anita was the most gentle, forgiving, kind, innocent, selfless, sentimental, sympathetic, young-at-heart, sweetest person you could ever meet. She was always open-minded and never judgemental. She was not materialistic and always knew the value of being humble. She was above all that. She was driven by love, not by obligation. Her son said, "There was no one who would have done as much for me as my mother did, and I would have done the same for her. No matter what her afflictions or the circumstances were, she would have gone to the other side of the earth to help me and I would have done the same for her. That is true love."

Anita will be deeply missed by her family and friends for her pureness, gentle nature, loving heart, and the joy she brought into the lives of those around her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Anita's name to the Bloomfield Animal Shelter in Bloomfield, New Jersey or to the Humane Society of Harford County, Maryland.