WESTFIELD: Joan Marie (O’Brien) Anderson, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 16th, 2022 at home in Westfield, MA. She was 87 years old. She was born and grew up in Bridgeport, CT, the daughter of the late William (Bill) and Dorothy (Dot) O’Brien.
Joan graduated from Warren Harding High School, where she was involved in the Red Cross, Girl’s Letter Club, Drama Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Senior Social Representative, as well as a cheerleader, and a majorette. After high school, Joan worked at General Electric in Bridgeport, CT as a secretary. While at GE, she continued her interest in sports, playing on their basketball team, and became an ardent downhill skier. Her next career move was a secretary at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT. It was here that she met her future husband, Arthur Anderson. On February 27th, 1960, they each married the love of their life. Joan shared with her family a love of God’s creation, highlighted by an extended cross-country trip in a homebuilt camper. The family camped, biked, and kayaked on Cape Cod and the Islands, Maine, and Florida. Art and Joan visited Bermuda, biked in Ireland, explored Alaska by camper with friends, and went on a church mission trip to Costa Rica. She was an integral part of what was known as the “fun family.”
In addition to Arthur Anderson, her loving husband of over 61 years, Joan is survived by her three sons: Mark (Carole) Anderson of Granby, CT, Rev. Todd (Cheri) Anderson of Browns Mills, NJ, Evan (Sheri) Anderson of Winsted, CT, her brother William O’Brien (Margaret or “Peg”) of Virginia, and sisters-in-law Judith Schwab, of Pennsylvania, and Linda Dahlberg (Henry), of Arizona, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Joan was predeceased by brothers-in-law Eric Anderson and William Schwab, and daughter-in-law, Terri Anderson. Joan loved all of her grandchildren: Daniel Anderson, John Anderson, Eric (Mariana) Anderson, Kelly Anderson, David Anderson, Danae Morrison, and Leanna Skaret. She would have loved to have met her first great-granddaughter, Sophia Tristão Anderson (Eric and Mari), born February 19th, 2022.
Joan loved the Lord, and always had a smile on her face. She kept a prayer journal (seven volumes!), and was an outspoken witness for the Lord, even inviting strangers to come eat and stay in her home. Joan was a long-time member of Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church in East Hartland, CT. Her life verses were from Psalm 30:11-12 (NLT): “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and have clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. Oh Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!”
Calling Hours will be Saturday, February 26th, at 10AM followed by a Service of Remembrance at 11AM at Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church in East Hartland, CT. In lieu of flowers, please make out checks to or send any monetary gifts to: “Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church” in East Hartland, CT, 116 Walnut Hill Rd. A Livestream will be available at 11:00AM on either https://www.facebook.com/BethanyLBChurch or https://www.youtube.com/user/BLBCHartland.
Hayes-Huling and Carmon Funeral Home of Granby has care of the arrangements. For condolences or directions please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.
