Nancy R. (Black) Anderson, age 87, of Worcester, Massachusetts passed away on Monday, June 3, 2024, at Care One in Millbury Massachusetts, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 2, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Phineas and Clarissa A. (Whitcher) Black. She was raised in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston along with her four siblings. Nancy was an active young girl who didn't mind a little dirt on her shoes if it meant she was having fun, especially with her brother Dick, who was her best friend and partner in crime growing up. As there was no high school at the time in West Roxbury, Nancy attended and graduated with the class of 1954 from Roslindale High School, where she was a proud member of the National Honor Society.
After graduation, Nancy attended Fisher Junior College in Boston and graduated with an Associate's degree in Secretarial Studies in 1956. Nancy had dreams of possibly becoming a lawyer one day.
Toward the end of the decade Nancy met William C. Anderson through mutual friends. The two were complete opposites in every way possible, but still managed to fall madly in love with each other. Nancy married the love of her life and became Mrs. Anderson on May 27, 1961, at the Church of Our Savior in Roslindale, Massachusetts. The couple made their married home in Walpole, Massachusetts and settled comfortably in the quiet town.
Another dream that Nancy had cherished since she was a young girl was to be a mother, which she finally experienced with the birth of her first daughter, Karen. Motherhood was both a blessing and a joy. A simple decision was made to return to work when she was ready, but this time with Karen in tow! Karen joined Nancy at work, napping or playing in her playpen, while Nancy diligently kept the office running smoothly. Nancy was proud of being so valued she was at her job that her boss encouraged this, and that she was a trailblazer - a working new mother with her baby at the office in the early 1960s.
Nancy and Bill would be blessed to become parents again, welcoming twins Kristin and Lori to the family. With the birth of her twins, Nancy was inspired to join the Mass. Mothers of Twins Club, which helps connect and support parents of multiples. Nancy was quite an active member and enjoyed the camaraderie and lifelong friendships that she made over the years as a member. She regularly attended National conventions, and even served as an officer for her local chapter.
Even with three children, work, and social commitments, Nancy and Bill still had so much love to share. The pair chose to become foster parents, opening their home and their hearts to seven children over the years.
Nancy thrived as a mother so of course she and Bill were thrilled when she gave birth to their fourth child, Valerie. After the lively experiences of having twins, and fostering, Nancy thoroughly enjoyed peace and quiet cuddles with her youngest as often as she could.
As the children began to grow up, Nancy and Bill took advantage of the opportunity to take a little more time for themselves by joining their church bowling league. The pair enjoyed playing toward a perfect 300 and making friends through the league. Nancy and Bill made close friends with about a dozen other couples they met as alleycats, and their Friday night bowling morphed into a Friday night gathering. The "Friday Night Group" got together regularly not only to bowl, but to host dinners and games at each other's houses. These friendships that were made continued on as their children grew and had children of their own.
Once Valerie started school, Nancy decided to resume working outside the home. She became the secretary at the family church, Epiphany Parish, in Walpole. She was there for many years before she got the chance to join Connor and Hilliard, P.C. in Walpole, pairing her secretarial skills with her dream of becoming a lawyer. Nancy was such an asset, she often was referred to as “a paralegal,” but her honesty would lead her immediately correct that to “legal secretary.” Nancy loved this job! She took great pride in her work, being part of the firm, and made many friends.
When Nancy wasn't working, bowling, or taking care of her family, she enjoyed cooking and crafting. Nancy was a delightful cook, though she was humble and would insist her cooking wasn't nearly as good as her mothers, much to the disagreement of everyone who enjoyed her delicious meals. She also enjoyed fiber arts, specifically needle point and sewing. Bill was the lucky recipient of homemade ties and the girls' Barbie and babydolls all had the latest fashions, all sewn by Nancy. If you were a lucky boy or girl, you may have even have been a recipient of one of Nancy's hand sewn Raggedy Ann or Raggedy Andy dolls. And almost every member of the family has their own personalized Christmas stocking, handknit by Nancy.
Home was where the heart was for Nancy, but she also loved to travel. She enjoyed taking trips across New England, especially to Vermont and North Conway, New Hampshire. She would often travel with Bill, but she never missed an opportunity to take a trip with her sisters Elfreda and Linda. Nancy was also a devout fan of Neil Diamond and saw him many times, often traveling out of state to do so.
Nancy's love for motherhood knew no bounds and nothing could top the experience, that is, until she experienced the joy of being a grandmother. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved doting on them and spending time with them.
Beloved wife of the Late William C. Anderson
Loving mother of Karen M. Hobson of Walpole, Kristin N. Anderson, and her fiancé Maurice D. Contee, of Hanson, Lori M. Birmingham, and her husband Scott, of Hampton, VA, and Valerie J. Anderson of Leominster.
Cherished grandmother of Mathew W. Birmingham, and his wife Brittany, and Daniel S. Birmingham, and his wife Marie Schirmacher.
Sister of Richard E. Black, and his wife Joan, of St. Johnsbury, VT, Linda M. St. Clair of Woonsocket, RI, the late Elfreda E. Wayne, and her husband the late Henry Wayne, as well as the late James E. Black.
Survived by many nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Nancy's visitation on Monday, June 10th, 2024, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, in the Epiphany Episcopal Church, 62 Front Street in Walpole at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow on Thursday, June 13th, 2024, at 1:00 PM in the Bartlett Village Cemetery (Garland Ridge), Crawford Notch Road (Rt. 302N), Bartlett, New Hampshire.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Nancy's name may be made to MetroWest Humane Society at 30 Pond Street, Ashland, MA 01721 or by visitinghttps://metrowesthumanesociety.org/
In the event you would like to send flowers, please refrain from sending any arrangements with lilies, as the family has severe allergies.
