Patricia Jean Anderson<br/>December 18, 1928 - August 21, 2014
Patricia Jean Anderson of Newport Beach, a native Californian, passed peacefully at home in the presence of her family on August 21, 2014. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Robert Edmond, her three children, William, Holly and Glenna and her eight grandchildren, Robert, Will, Madeline and Clementine Anderson, Donny Bellows, Lily Anderson and Patricia and Spencer Darlin.
Patty will be dearly missed by all, and was known for her warm smile, grace, thoughtfulness and dedication to others. Patty was a long time member of the Adoption Guild, Caramigas, Town and Gown, National Charity League and her book group.
Patty was born in Los Angeles in 1928, and graduated from John Marshall High. While attending Los Angeles City College, she met her future husband Bob. After starting her family, Patty graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from California State University Los Angeles. Patty remained in touch with her Marshall High group of friends until the end of her days.
She was deeply devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren and friends and loved nothing more than simply spending time together and traveling with all of us.
Her light was a blessing to us all.
May she rest peacefully. In thanks to Patty, we pray that her lessons, grace and strength will be kept alive by us, and passed on to our children.
A Son’s Remembrance
The recent passing of my mother (Patty Anderson) marked the passing of as fine of individual as I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, in all of my 61 years. I do not say this in a boastful manner because I am sure there are plenty of people that feel the exact same way about their mother. As a matter of fact, I suppose in a perfect world everyone would share these sentiments concerning their mother.
For me, this was certainly the case. Her combination of grace, kindness, decency, humility, dignity, compassion and “class” were the finest I have ever witnessed. On top of all this, she was extremely attractive (I don’t think she aged the first 25 years I knew her).
If you are old enough to remember a family television show from the 1960’s called “The Donna Reed Show,” that was my mom, except that my mom was even prettier than Donna Reed. As a child, I remember my mom as always perfectly attired, clean and fresh, with a sunny disposition ready to help my sister’s (Holly and Glenna) and I, with whatever challenges presented themselves. It sounds out of touch today but as a “stay at home” mom she raised us by setting a perfect example and showering us with so much love and heartfelt care it seemed impossible to fail.
Her moral compass was beyond reproach and at an early age we knew prejudice of any kind was simply not tolerated. She explained the rules of civility and etiquette and we learned them by watching her and observing how she treated us and all others. She was a walking example of the Golden Rule. I cannot remember ever seeing her in a “bad mood” or having a “bad day.” I never heard her swear or lose her temper and my sister’s and I never saw our parents argue. I’m sure she had her “bad days” and/or disagreements with my dad but never in front of us.
Looking back, my mom was a “Type A” personality. Her penmanship was immaculate and our household was exceptionally organized but she is the only “Type A” personality I have known that managed to have everything perfect to her standards and yet never made those around her feel pressured. She made it look easy and it wasn’t until I was much older raising my own children (and losing my cool) that I began to marvel at how she used to do it.
Sadly, she is gone now but half of my blood is hers and as long as I am alive she will be with me. I am a better man for it and I am extremely grateful. Her blood is in my sister’s and their children and my children, and someday all of their children and we will all carry her memory with honor, love and pride.
Bill Anderson
9/4/2014