Anita Bugbee Welles

Anita Bugbee Welles, age 92, a longtime resident of Old Lyme, passed away peacefully on the morning of February 15, 2024 at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown after a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of John A. Welles, Sr. who predeceased her in 2007. She was born in Old Lyme on March 4, 1931, the daughter of John C. Bugbee, Sr. and Dorothy (Burke) Bugbee.

She was the loving mother of John A. Welles, Jr. (Debbie) of Old Lyme and Jordan A. Welles (Barbara) of Essex. Anita and her husband “Jack” raised their family at Roger’s Lake in Old Lyme. Upon retirement, they summered on Martha’s Vineyard and spent their winters in Barefoot Bay, Florida. Upon Jack’s passing, she moved back to Old Lyme.

Anita was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star and Past Matron of the former Davidson Chapter Number 101 O.E.S. in Old Lyme. She served as Grand Adah of the Grand Chapter of Connecticut, Order of the Eastern Star, from 1967 to 1968. At the time of her passing, Anita was a member of the Lady Washington Chapter.

While in Florida, she was active in the New England Club and the Lion’s Club, holding several offices.

Besides her sons and daughters in law, she leaves her grandchildren, Justin Welles of Antrim, NH, and his sons Jack and Noah, Lindsay Wyglendowski (Chris) of Pittstown, NJ and their children Lily and Evan, Emily Powers (Jeremy) of Southampton, MA and their children Finn and Liv, Lucy Welles of Portland, ME and Imogene Welles of Port Jefferson, NY.

A funeral service will be privately held by her family. Interment will be held in Laysville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Old Lyme PGN Library or the Old Lyme Fire Department.