In loving memory of Maureen Anderson who died at Health Sciences North on Monday, September 11, at the age of 80.
Maureen was born in Punnichy, Saskatchewan on March 17, 1937 to Mary (Crozier) and Charles Harold Anderson. The family moved to the Sudbury area in 1942 and settled in Gatchell. Maureen attended Gatchell Public and Sudbury Mining and Technical School and graduated in 1957 from Marymount School of Nursing. She worked for 2 years in Victoria, B.C. and then returned to Sudbury, working at the Medical Offices, the General Hospital and retiring from the Cardio-pulmonary Department of the Memorial Hospital in 1994.
Maureen was a long-time NDP activist, honoured with a life membership several years ago, and a strong social justice advocate. She attended St. Paul’s United Church and, when it closed, St. Peter’s United Church, where she was an active member of the UCW.
Reading, particularly Canadian and English mysteries, solving crossword puzzles, listening to the CBC, and listening to music, from broadway musicals to country and classical, were favourite pastimes. She was a long-time supporter of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, Cinefest and the Sudbury Theatre Centre and enjoyed attending the Stratford Shakespearean Festival every year. Maureen enjoyed curling and golfing. She spent many hours watching curling games in person and on television. Another of her passions was travelling and she travelled extensively throughout Canada and the world.
But for all her varied interests, family was the most important thing in Maureen’s life. As the eldest daughter in a family of 6 children, she assumed a lot of responsibility and throughout her life, she always put the needs of others before her own. When our mother died, Maureen became the matriarch of the family, hosting many family gatherings. She became skilled at baking bannock, keeping part of our Cree heritage alive. Without children of her own, she became very close to her nephews and nieces. She was loved deeply and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Maureen was predeceased by her parents, Mary (Crozier) and Charles Harold Anderson, and her sister, Rosalie Beauchamp. She is survived by her siblings, Keith (Claire), Allan (Bev), Carol Germa (Bud predeceased), Shirley Taylor (Guy predeceased), brother-in law, Joe Beauchamp, nephews, Randy (Carole) Beauchamp, Mike (Angelique) Beauchamp, Jamie (Cheryl) Beauchamp, Robb (Lianne) Anderson and nieces, Shelley Anderson, Sharon(Mark) VanRiemsdyck, Heather (Andre) Breau, Laurie (Les) Cheung, and several great and great great nieces and nephews.
Donations to the Sudbury Theatre Centre or the Northern Cancer Centre would be appreciated.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September, 14th, from 2-5 and 7-9, at Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home, with the Service of Celebration for Maureen’s life, on Friday, September 15th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s United Church, York Street.