Cartwright Funeral Homes: Obituaries

ANDERSON, Virginia Helen Anderson, 86, of Braintree Highlands passed away peacefully on February 27, 2010. Married 51 years to the late Paul Norman Anderson Sr, Virginia was born in Boston on March 2, 1923. Daughter of the late Daisy (Lilja) and Alfred Anderson, sister of the late Audrey (Anderson) Kresser, all of Holbrook. Mother of two sons, the late Richard Henry Anderson of Columbus, OH and Paul Norman Anderson Jr. of Braintree Highlands. The loving Grandmother of Erica Anderson of Weymouth and Melissa Colantuoni of Raleigh, NC. Devoted Great Grandmother to Anderson and Ashleigh Colantuoni of Raleigh. “Aunt Ginny” to her two devoted Nieces Julie (Kresser) Gainey of Hanson and Tina (Kresser) DeCost of So. Dennis and to her three Nephews Lee Kresser of Cincinnati OH, Robert Kresser of North Port FL and Charles Kresser of Bridgewater. Great Aunt to twelve and Great Grand Aunt to three. Virginia was very proud of the United States Marine service of her Great Niece Lee Gainey and the continued US Marine service of her Great Nephew Iraqi War veteran Cory Kresser, one of the youngest Drill Sergeants in the Marines currently stationed at Parris Island, SC. Virginia attended elementary school in Holbrook. After moving to West Roxbury she attended the Robert Gould Shaw Jr High School where began her life long love of American History especially the heroic Union 54th Massachusetts Regiment renowned for its bravery during the American Civil War. Virginia was awarded the “Washington and Franklin Medal” by the Sons of the American Revolution for winning the Boston Public Schools excellence in American History contest in 1939. Having received two double promotions during her public school education she graduated from Roslindale High School at age 16 in 1939. Continuing her education at the Boston Conservatory of Music, majoring in voice, Virginia became a noted soprano soloist at a number of Boston and South Shore Churches. Ginny met her future husband Paul while he was home on leave from US Navy North Atlantic convoy duty prior to Pearl Harbor. She always said “it was love at first sight.” They were engaged in early 1942 prior to Paul’s departure for the South Pacific and the Guadalcanal invasion. Having survived the torpedoing of his ship twice during the Solomon Islands campaign and designated as Missing in Action her fiancé returned home to marry Virginia in West Roxbury on September 16, 1944. After their marriage Virginia lived at Sampson Naval Training Center in Geneva NY and later at Yale University in New Haven where her husband was an instructor. After VJ Day they settled in Holbrook. Moving to Braintree Highlands in 1955 Virginia was active at the Foster Elementary School attended by her two sons. She was a volunteer assistant librarian, Cub Scout den mother and with good friend Elsie Sutton a volunteer driver for the soccer and basketball teams. “Ginny” was a leader in PTO activities at the Foster and South Junior High. She served as neighborhood coordinator for the March of Dimes and Easter Seals campaigns for many years. “Ginny” was a long time summer resident of Swifts and Hamilton Beaches in Wareham where she and her husband Paul especially enjoyed the many visits of their best friends Jane and Bob Babcock of Abington. Virginia performed her last public singing performance at the wedding of the Babcock’s daughter Susan in 1964. She was an avid lifelong Red Sox and Bruins fan. Family trips to American Historical sites Fort Ticonderoga and Gettysburg were life highlights for her. Many family and friend day trips to Lexington and Concord, the Boston Historic Trail, Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall brought her joy. Above all Virginia loved the frigate USS Constitution and was considered an amateur expert on her history. Virginia will be missed by all who knew her but remembered as a sweet, gracious wonderful woman who always brought brightness into the lives of the people she touched. A Celebration of Virginia’s Life will be held for family and friends in the Spring in conjunction with her internment with her beloved husband Paul at the United States National Veterans Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to any worthy charity. Virginia was always concerned with the issues of children’s health, women’s breast cancer and the safe treatment of animals. The family suggests donations to Boston Children’s Hospital, the Susan B. Koman Fund or the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. At the request of the family visiting hours have been omitted. Arrangements under the direction of Cartwright Funeral Home, 845 Washington Street, Braintree, MA 02184 For additional information, or to leave a sympathy message visit our website www.cartwrightfuneral.com

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