Buckland- Ruth (Canedy) Anderson (91) died on Monday, (4-30-18) at home. Born on February 20, 1927 in Buckland to Gladys (Baker) Canedy and Charles E. Canedy. She was a 1945 graduate of Arms Academy and acquired her RN at Deaconess School of Nursing in Boston.
Ruth was pre-deceased by her husband Winthrop (Bud) Anderson of 65 years in 2014. She was also pre-deceased by daughter Jill, grandson Samuel Hoeppner, and brothers Sidney and Charles. Survivors include children: Polly Anderson (Michael McCusker), Nina Coler (Ron), Sidney (Sam) Anderson (Patricia Pike), Lynn Hoeppner (Ken), Malah Miller (Read).
Grandchildren: Angus McCusker (Kricket), Gabriel Coler (Julie), Esther Coler (Thomas Miner, Jr.), Chloe and Hallie Anderson, Olivia D’Amour, (Christian), Madeline Hoeppner, Martha, Ruth and William Miller. Great Grandchildren: Galen and Elet McCusker, Indigo and Ari Coleminer, Soren and Alden Coler, Juilan and Vivian D’Amour. Survivors also include: Sisters-in-law Barbara Jane Hill (Harold) and Mary (Valiton) Anderson.
She also felt like a mother to Ling and Kriang Anantanansuwong, exchange students from Bangkok, Thailand. She also leaves beloved neighbors Susan (Bray) and Carlton (Red) Roberts, family in her heart. At ten years of age Ruth delivered her Mother’s homemade teacakes and donuts on her bicycle to Shelburne Falls customers during the depression.
Her adult life was given over to numerous community service organizations. She was a Mohawk School Committee member for 25 years, was Fresh Air Fund County Coordinator for over 25 years and was Recruitment Chairwoman for the district area CROP walk for 25 years. Throughout Ruth’s life, church was of utmost importance.
She was an active member of Trinity Church serving and leading in numerous capacities and fulfilling the church mission: To serve the Lord in our community; to make a joyful noise. At 78 she won the 8th Annual Marvin J. Shippee Award. Upon receiving it she quipped “I must be terribly tired.
I didn’t realize how much I had done”. She opened her home to exchange students, Fresh Air children and young people searching for a nurturing environment. In addition to raising five children Ruth worked as the area’s visiting nurse, traveling to many rural families in need.
She had a stint as a school nurse at Buckland Shelburne Elementary. To help pay for her children’s college tuitions she worked the night shift at Franklin Medical in the psychiatric unit. In their young family days, she and Bud were active members of the Buckland Grange and had much fun participating in Gilbert & Sullivan musical productions.
Square dancing with the Swinging Sweethearts was also a highlight. Ruth and Bud traveled to Thailand, Japan, the U.K, Alaska, Hawaii and Europe. One of Ruth’s greatest pleasures was family vacation at the beach with a good book in hand.
Ruth embraced her husband and children’s love of animals, keeping several bottle-fed lambs in her kitchen. She was an equal partner in tending a huge vegetable garden that sustained the family. Ruth was a champion for progressive social change from fighting the death penalty to holding racism seminars for youth groups.
Ruth’s family would like to extend sincere gratitude to her caregivers: Aloha, Carol, Dawn, Deb, Denise, Diane, Samantha, Sarah and Minda as well as Hospice of Franklin County and Meals on Wheels (Alan). Calling hours will be Friday May 4th from 6-8PM at Smith Kelleher Funeral Home (Shelburne Falls). Funeral services will be at Trinity Church Shelburne Falls on Sunday May 6th at 3PM.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Church/general fund or to Community Meals.
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