Celebrating the Life of Lois Anderson August 3, 1916 - February 6, 2006

(This tribute was read at her memorial service in Riverside, California.)

We thank you for coming here today as we celebrate the life of our mother and grandmother, Lois Adelle Graham Anderson.

Mom always said she was thankful that she had lived a life with so many blessings. It was a life filled with love: love of her family, God and cherished friends.

Mom began her life as the fourth of five daughters born to chemistry professor John Howard and his wife Lillian Mae. As she grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, the bonds of faith and family were strengthened during her childhood years. She loved life, and treasured fun times with people around her.

When in her mid-twenties, she was invited on a double date to a Valentine's Day dance at Webb Institute of Technology. Her blind date was to be a young man named Roy Anderson. Dad's roommate had told him of this lovely Graham girl. She was an executive secretary who even owned a car which was a rarity in those days. From that dance on, Mom and Dad knew they found their true loves (even though they joked that what really appealed to Dad at first was the fact that she had a car!). They were married on November 4, 1942. It was a wartime wedding. For 57 years they embraced life together. Their marriage was an example of a rich partnership for their daughters.

Mother loved being a Navy wife. Friends from Norfolk, Virginia to Bay City, Michigan, and from Bethesda, Maryland, to Sasebo, Japan, knew her as the "hostess with the mostess".

It was also during one of these moves that Mom was invited to join the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She believed in the organization's purpose to support women through education to achieve their dreams. In each of the future duty stations, she was able to find a new chapter and surround herself with women of similar ideals. Her P.E.O. sisters were special to her and she was proud when her daughters and granddaughter chose to follow her footsteps and become her "sister". Mom's chapter in Riverside recently honored her with her fifty year pin.

Retirement brought Mom and Dad to California and civilian life. Dear friends were made in San Rafael and Bonita. After a passing of about twenty years, they heard that some of them were interested in moving to an active and lovely retirement community.

Mom was glad that they chose to live at Air Force Village West. She enjoyed playing bridge, cheering for Dad as he bowled, and meeting friends nightly to share stories at the dinner table. It was special to once again be in a military community filled with so many fine people.

Mother always let her family and friends know how much she loved them. Her love was returned full circle and that circle will never end. She touched many lives with her kindness, her winning smile and charm.

Her daughters appreciate the fact that Mom chose to put home and family first. She was always there when we returned from school or when we needed help or someone to guide us. We fondly recall scenes of her preparing special holiday celebrations, working together with Dad to make our home comfortable and safe, and attending worship together. And of course, we recall her baking her delicious cookies. It seemed like she always had a plate of fresh cookies to share. It is the simple daily activities and family times that we most remember. She and Dad passed down traditions and values that will continue to their two beloved grandchildren, Kimberly and Steven.

We feel incredibly blessed to have had such a wonderful mother. She was a woman of grace, beauty and elegance throughout her whole life, and she leaves a powerful, loving legacy. We will miss her and always hold her in our hearts.