Anderson

ANDERSON, TERRY KEATING

Posted By: COLLENE ROOT (email)
Date: 4/19/2008 at 20:47:24

Anderson, Mary Jean

Mary Jean Anderson, 82, of Muscatine, passed away November 29, 2007, at Unity Hospital.
Mary was born December 12, 1924, in Muscatine, the daughter of Jeremiah and Lucy Terry Keating. On December 1, 1945, she married Philip Justus Anderson at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Muscatine. He preceded her in death on April 10, 2002, after a marriage of 56 years.
Mary graduated from Muscatine Senior High School in 1940 and attended Laselle Junior College in Auburndale, Mass., the University of Iowa and Colorado College (CC) in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she met Phil who was attending officer training at CC after serving in the South Pacific. She was a member of the Westend Fortnightly Club, PEO Chapter JR, past board member of YWCA, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, the Trinity Episcopal Church and the Friday Night Club.
Mary spent her winters in Islamorada, Fla., often returning to Muscatine to enjoy Christmas with her family. She was a learned authority on the history of Christmas and Santa Claus and had a wonderful collection of antique Christmas ornaments and memorabilia. Mary was also well known for her petit points, which adorn many homes in Muscatine and elsewhere. She enjoyed antique collecting and playing cribbage, dominos and cards, especially enjoying bridge club with her friends each month. Her special favorite song was "Auld Lang Syne".
Survivors include daughter Sally Ann of Muscatine; sons, John Todd of Manitou Springs, Colo., and Philip Jerry of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and grandson, Patrick Justus Anderson of Colorado Springs.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Gerie Elizabeth Neeld, Janet Bowen and Jane Greer.
A private burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Muscatine and also in Florida at a later date. In honor of their long standing tradition of gathering with friends each evening to discuss the important events of the day, a celebration of Mary's and Phil's lives will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, December 10, 2007, at the Geneva Golf and Country Club, 3100 Bidwell Road, Muscatine. All friends of the family are welcome.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 211 Walnut Street, Muscatine, Iowa 52761. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Published in the Quad-City Times on 12/3/2007.