She Shared Warmth Until the Very End: Remembering Anita Wright, a Beloved Member of Our Community
Anita never stopped sharing warmth, even on her hardest days. Before her chemo sessions, she would often post to her stories; always with a smile, always in her ororo vest. Over time, those small moments became something much bigger: a glimpse into her resilience, her generosity, and her desire to help others.
Known to many as the vibrant force behind @tastyentertaining, Anita was more than a creator. She was a community builder, an entertainer at heart, and a source of light to everyone who followed her journey. Through joy and hardship alike, she showed up with grace, humor, and an open heart.
In this Q&A, her daughter, Rebecca Jans, reflects on her mother’s life, sharing memories of her strength, creativity, and the love she poured into everything she did. Together, we honor Anita’s story and the lasting legacy she continues to leave behind.
Continue reading to learn more about Anita’s story, told through the eyes of her daughter.
About Rebecca
Q: Can you please tell us a little about yourself?
I'm Anita's youngest (of three), in my early fifties. I've been married for 20 years, with no children. We have two dogs (Yorkies) and I live in the Vancouver, BC area. I work in the printing industry and have taken over my mom’s social media accounts (@tastyentertaining).
About Anita
Q: Can you please tell us a little about your mom?
Mom was a tenacious and vibrant soul whose positive attitude left a lasting impression on everyone she met. As a beloved mother, Nana, and friend, she brought warmth and light into every room. She was a creative force, an entertainer, cake decorator, a talented painter and a dynamic TikTok influencer known as @tastyentertaining, who inspired many with her joyful spirit and authenticity.
Q: What are a few words you think best describe her?
She loved to entertain and be the host. We were that house that everyone came to when we were growing up. The house was full of people all the time and when she was older, she found new friends, whether it was on her new street, or in the new condo she was living in. She created a community around her.
Her Journey & Strength
Q: Can you share what her journey with cancer was like?
Mom was scared at first, but rather than saying “why me,” she said, “why not me?”. She didn’t let it define who she was. She just added it into her lifestyle.
Q: What did going to chemo look like for her?
In the beginning, we had a support group (friends staying with her during chemo days). She was excited to go to chemo. She visualized it as little Pac-Man eating up the bad cancer cells. She worked hard to keep a positive attitude, knowing that mindset was part of her health and well-being.
Q: Was there anything she did to prepare herself for those days that gave her comfort or strength?
We did some deep diving on the Internet to see if there were things we could do. One was adding an antihistamine a couple of days before treatment, and another was using ice packs during chemo on her hands and feet. It stops blood flow and, in turn, the chemo meds from reaching the extremities, helping prevent neuropathy. Some medications said it didn’t cause neuropathy, but I still made her do it. With her being a cake decorator and painter, although uncomfortable, it was worth it.
Q: Do you remember any moments where she surprised you with her resilience or positivity?
Every day.
The Heated Vest
Q: How did she first discover ororo, and why did the heated vest become part of her routine?
I’m not sure how she found it, but she loved it long before she got ill. She quickly bought me one (I just had a Dec. 18, 2020 photo memory come up), because she loved it so much. Then she saw my husband stealing mine and immediately bought him one too. She loved it, talked about it, and gifted it to anyone who meant something to her. When people stayed with her during chemo, an ororo vest was always a “thank you” gift for caring for her.
Q: Did wearing her heated vest mean anything to her?
Mom loved her heated vest. She wore it all the time. Inside, if she was chilly, and under any coat when she went out. She wore it on planes and especially on chemo days. She was religious about plugging in her batteries.
Q: Do you remember her talking about how it made her feel when she wore it?
She loved how warm and toasty it made her feel, especially around the neck and pockets. She especially loved it after she lost all her hair and didn’t feel warm anymore.
Q: Why do you think she chose to share videos wearing her vest before chemo?
She wanted to share how warm she felt and what a good product it was; how, for a small price point, it could bring so much joy during an uncomfortable situation. Her heated vest gave her plenty of joy, and she wanted others going through similar experiences, like chemo, to feel that same comfort.
Community & Sharing
Q: What did it mean to her to share her journey publicly?
Ovarian cancer is nicknamed the “silent killer.” Symptoms like bloating, feeling full quickly, and constipation are often ignored. She knew that if she shared her story, she could inspire women to get checked sooner rather than later. Women reached out to say that because of her posts on TikTok, they got checked. Some were diagnosed and it was caught earlier, increasing their survival chances.
Q: Did she ever talk about the messages, support, or encouragement she received online?
She did, but she was humble and didn’t fully believe the impact she had. It wasn’t until I posted in our community Facebook group and shared the messages her neighbors left, that it truly moved her.
Q: Tell us about the Cupcake Rock Journey
What began as a simple marketing idea (to spark interest in Anita’s cakes within the neighborhood), quickly became something much more meaningful. When COVID hit, the “Cupcake Rock” became a creative way to bring families together while staying safely apart. Anita would hide the “Cupcake Rock” throughout the neighborhood, creating excitement and surprise for all those that played along. She would post clues in the local Facebook forum, turning the hunt into a community game. When someone found the rock, they’d share a photo, return it, and redeem it for four of her delicious cupcakes. More than a treat, the cupcakes became symbols of kindness, resilience, and brought everyone together, even while staying apart.
After Her Passing
Q: What made you decide to continue managing her account and sharing in her memory?
Mom recorded a final message for her followers to be posted after she passed. She spoke about not being scared to die, not losing hope, and her decision to pursue MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying). The video went viral (13 million views on Instagram and 8.4 million on TikTok). It became clear to my sister and I that she still mattered deeply to people. We created The Tasty Entertaining Cookbook, sold on Amazon, filled with her content, photos, and our family stories. It was cathartic for us and a way to keep her memory alive.
Q: Is there a post, photo, or moment that feels especially meaningful to you?
I’m lucky to have so much content of her! There are still videos I haven’t even seen. It’s hard to choose just one moment, but one that stands out is when my nephew cracks an egg on her head and surprises her.
Legacy & Message
Q: What do you hope people remember most about your mom?
Mom was resilient. She reinvented herself many times throughout her life. To everyone else, she was loving, knowledgeable, fun, loved to entertain, and absolutely loved Christmas.
Q: If she could say something to others going through chemo or hard seasons, what do you think she’d say?
In her final post, she said not to give up. There are new treatments all the time. And, be positive! A positive attitude goes a long way.
Last Words.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your mom that feels important or healing to say out loud?
We hate that she is gone, but we understand. Her body gave up on her. She would have wanted to live and entertain people forever. She loved life. She chose MAID because she didn’t want to suffer. In Canada, MAID is an incredible option. It was right for her and our family. In her final days, she was surrounded by friends and family constantly. It became a living funeral; people coming to say their goodbyes, sometimes more than once. She never wavered in her decision. Brave to the very end.
A Legacy of Warmth
Anita’s story is one of courage, creativity, and community. Through joy and hardship, she chose connection, generosity, and hope. Her legacy lives on through the lives she touched, the community she built, and the warmth she shared so freely. Through her family, Anita’s light continues to shine, reminding us all of the power of resilience, kindness, and living fully.
You can follow Anita’s Legacy below:
