Obituary of Ethel Gertrude Anderson
Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the age of 90.
Survived by her sons Robert Anderson (Virginia) and Bruce Anderson (Carolyn), Grandchildren: Jessica (Matt), Michael (Jenna), Jocelyn (Rob), and Graham (Leila), and the lights of her life, her great-grandchildren: Mason, Manny, Piper, Hayleigh, Tommy, Kaitlyn, Archie, Alice and Evelyn.
Predeceased by her husband Robert Anderson, and sister Marge McAra and her husband Ian McAra.
She was born with bright red hair in a small village in Saskatchewan and raised on a farm in the prairies. While attending school and pursuing dance she took up clerical and accounting work. She moved to work in the Yukon. After the death of her first husband, she moved to Ontario where she worked as private legal secretary to former Prime Minister John Turner. She has many great stories from this time, including throwing an event for, and receiving thanks from Princess Margaret herself. Some of her best days were spent living in Victoria Harbour, Ontario with her husband Bobby creating many family memories at the cottage. After Bobby's passing, she found faith and was drawn to bible study. She lived for months in Jerusalem and returned there on occasion during her world travels. She moved to British Columbia and lived there as a caregiver to her sister and brother-in-law for 16 years. During this time, she would make frequent trips back to Ontario for summers at the cottage, Anderson Christmas, and return for the weddings and babies. She moved back home, to Ontario, one year ago and we are so thankful to have had this time with her.
She was a wizard with a sewing machine, an expert at her daily crossword puzzles and a lover of British shows and mystery novels. She was practical, meticulously organized, valued manners and formality, but loved dress-up and silliness. She was a fan of performance and choreography. Years after Bobby's passing, she returned to her love of dance. Her grandchildren have fond memories of watching her tap dance on stage. She was part of an international jazz championship group while in her '60s. She was an artist and painter, having painted many meaningful works of art for those she loved. She was an enthusiast of arts and crafts - a hobby she adored doing with her grandchildren, and later, her great grandchildren.
Special thanks to the entire team at Chartwell Robert Speck in Mississauga for their compassionate care. We could not have asked for a more caring group of people to have befriended her over this last year.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, in 2025. Please check the funeral home’s website for updated information.
Condolences for the family and donations to the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation may be arranged at www.erbgood.com