Lily Kanter died at her home in Vineyard Haven on Wednesday evening, Oct. 12, after a long and courageous struggle with anorexia nervosa. She was 27.

Lily was born in Boston and spent a part of every summer on the Island. She received her undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in public health from Brown University, as well as a nursing degree from Northeastern University. Until just before her death, she worked for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.

Lily moved to the Vineyard in the summer of 2010; she was proud to call herself a washashore. She was welcomed into the recovery community on the Vineyard, and she experienced many of her most meaningful relationships in her home group in Oak Bluffs.

She is survived by her parents, Fred and Lois Kanter; her sister and brother in law, Lindsay Kanter and Chad Lindner; and a large extended family. She is also survived by her lifelong friend Zainab Abdul Rahim; her adopted uncle Dennis Redican; her dog Addie; and many others whose lives she touched. Addie led a memorial “walk to the Chop” last Sunday.

Donations in Lily’s memory can be made to Vineyard House, P.O. Box 4599, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.