Anita Conway

On August 16, 2026, Anita Walter Conway passed from this life, just one week after her oldest child, Kenny. For her surviving children, the passing of their mother and brother so close together brings great comfort in knowing that they are together again, reunited with their beloved dad in paradise.

Anita was enormously proud to have grown up in Grinnell, Iowa. After high school, she enrolled in St. Mary's School of Nursing at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, earning her Bachelor Science Nursing in 1956. Upon graduation, she set off to find her fortune in San Diego, where she worked as a nurse and met Jim Conway, a dashing young naval officer. They married in 1958, and four children followed soon thereafter.

Jim's 30-year Navy career took the family to numerous assignments on both coasts, with a highlight being the two years he spent on exchange with the Royal Navy, stationed in Faslane, Scotland. Anita thrived as a Navy spouse, embracing each new assignment and adventure with enthusiasm. She created a loving and lively home wherever the Navy took them.

Jim completed his career at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he and Anita ultimately decided to retire and Jim began his civilian career. Those were happy years for Jim and Anita, who became deeply engaged in the Newport community. In addition to participating in book clubs, dinner clubs, and other social groups, Anita served on the Board of Governors of Newport Hospital and on the Human Rights Council for the Maher Center. She was also a lifelong supporter of the Naval War College Foundation. Her passion, however, was singing classical music with the Berkshire Choral Ensemble. As an accomplished alto, she sang for over 20 years in major choral-orchestral works, featuring world-class directors of symphonic choruses in Salzburg, Vienna, Canterberry, and the Berkshires to name a few.

Anita was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim Conway; their son, Kenneth Conway; her parents, Lona and Marvin Walter; and her brother, Lyman Walter. She is survived by her children, Stephen Conway (Maria), Jean Conway Orth (Mike), and Camille Conway Naughton (Tim); and her grandchildren, Mac Naughton (Maddie), Cassi Orth Frey (Joe), Clare Naughton, Nicole Orth Selck (Reese), Ian Conway and Madeline Conway.

A celebration of life service has been planned for Anita and her son, Kenny, who passed away just seven days before her. Their service will be held on Saturday, October 10, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 525 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Looking Upwards in gratitude for the remarkable support they provided Kenny over the years: www.lookingupwards.org.