Elizabeth Anne Anderson

Elizabeth Anne Anderson, 84, of Spencer, MA, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 9th after a long battle with respiratory issues.

Betty was born on December 5, 1939, in Waterbury, CT and grew up in Hyde Park, MA. After graduating from high school, she got a job at John Hancock where she became good friends with her co-worker Carol Anderson.  When Betty learned Carol routinely wrote to her brother “Red” who was in the Navy overseas in Italy, Betty began writing letters to him as well. They ultimately became pen pals.

Their friendship grew into love. On May 20, 1961, Betty and Charles “Buddy” Anderson were married. They moved from the hustle and bustle of Dorchester to raise a family in the small town of Franklin. It was here that their family grew to include 4 boys, 2 dogs, 3 cats, 1 duck, 1 rooster and a hamster.

Mrs. Buddy, as she was affectionately known, was a stay-at-home mom until she felt her boys were old enough that she could return to the workforce. Then, she worked within the Franklin school system, was a secretary for a close friend’s contracting business, and even helped a friend at their sandwich shop.

Betty loved the water and the peace and happiness it brought her and her family. She and Buddy enjoyed taking the boys to Cape Cod and various lakeside campsites throughout their youth. After the boys moved out, Betty and Buddy chose to live near the water. A lake in Grafton, NH, the ocean in Dunedin FL, and Lake Chaubunagungamaug in Webster, MA. They finally settled on Cranberry Meadow Pond in Spencer, MA. In her retirement years, she purposely chose to live near the water knowing she would be providing her family with memories to last a lifetime. Betty loved to sit by the water and watch her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren enjoy all the activities lake life offers. She was also happiest looking out at the water while enjoying her coffee, reading, or watching the birds.

She had many passions and hobbies, including crocheting, knitting, bowling, playing softball, and making crafts. Her favorite pastimes included crosswords, playing cards, solving puzzles, reading murder mysteries, and drinking the occasional mudslide.

Betty was an exemplary mother and human being. She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit, and a seemingly never-ending generosity that was evident in her care for her husband, her children, her grandchildren, and countless others.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Charles D. Anderson, Jr., of Spencer. Betty also leaves behind her son Charles Anderson III and his wife Sherry of Orange; son Kevin Anderson and his wife Kim of Millville; son Bryan Anderson of Spencer and his partner Kristin Peterson of Brookfield; son Gregory and his wife Penny of Upton; grandchildren Lyndsay Anderson, Charles Anderson IV, Jennifer LaValley, Nicole Morrill, Patricia Anderson, Kathryn Anderson, Tyler Anderson, Kelsey Anderson, Paige Anderson, Reese Anderson, and Dean Anderson; great-grandchildren Jordan LaValley, Cameron LaValley, Brennen Morrill, and Gabby Morrill. Betty also leaves behind many friends and family members near and far including her brother Jerry and his wife Joan of Marblehead, MA.

Services will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Westborough, MA. on Saturday, February 24th, at 2:30 pm. Reception immediately to follow in Upton, MA.

There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association.