Ollie Marie Anderson

Marie Anderson, 85, passed away peacefully in Baltimore, Maryland on December 23, 2023. Marie was born in Monroe City, Missouri on November 20, 1938. She was the first of five energetic girls to join their parents John and Frances Fields on the farm. Marie started her education in a one room schoolhouse before graduating from Monroe City High School in 1956. After high school, Marie completed a secretarial course in Omaha, Nebraska and accepted a position with the U.S. Navy in Washington D.C. In 1957, she was working for the Navy and living in Arlington, Virginia when she met her husband, Loren Henry (Andy) Anderson. They were married in Missouri on June 21, 1958 and settled in Arlington Virginia. Marie and Andy were blessed with three daughters in the 1960’s – Kathy, Julie and Jennifer. Marie focused on raising their girls and was very active in her community. She was instrumental in establishing a nursery school at her church which was a much-needed service for the community. Marie was also quite active in the UMW (United Methodist Women) and helped organize rummage sales and turkey dinners. She volunteered at her daughters’ schools for many years. Marie was always in motion at home using her many skills to provide for her family. She and Andy both enjoyed gardening and Marie spent many hours harvesting fruits and vegetables which she prepared fresh or canned. She was also a substantial cook making nutritional meals for the family. In later years, she experimented more in the kitchen and developed into an amazing chef preparing elaborate feasts for the children and grandchildren when they came to visit. She was a gifted seamstress making professional looking clothing for herself and the girls. Every Christmas, there were new homemade Barbie clothes that were the envy of all the neighborhood. She also made unique and complicated prom dresses and madrigal dresses for the girls when they were in high school. When all of the girls were in school full time, Marie decided to attend college and pursue a degree. She went to the University of Maryland and graduated with a BS in Business and Management on May 23, 1983. She worked in the Prince Georges County Transportation Department for years before becoming a real estate agent. In 2000, Marie retired and she and Andy built their dream house in Chestertown, Maryland. In Chestertown, Marie and Andy enjoyed the “country” life and being active grandparents. Their Chestertown home became the central gathering point for many holidays, where Marie would prepare amazing meals (and lots of cookies) to celebrate. Their grandchildren came to visit frequently throughout the years. Marie was a terrific grandma who stepped right in for games, adventures in Chestertown, and even bath time and bedtime routines. Marie really found her community when she and Andy moved to Charlestown in 2016. Although the rest of the family missed it terribly, she happily gave up cooking! Instead, she dedicated her time to her own activities. She followed in her father’s footsteps to become an excellent pool player and was a regular yoga class participant. She helped organize and collect donations for the community Treasure Sale and volunteered at a local food bank. During the pandemic, she found a new interest in monarch butterflies and spent many hours in the butterfly garden. She was also active in a book club, the local democratic party and the League of Women Voters. She is survived by her husband, her three daughters and grandchildren: Nadina, Logan, Jack, Travis, Kendall, Stephanie and Andee. A Celebration of Life will be held on January 3rd, 2024 at the Chapel at Charlestown Senior Living (713 Maiden Choice Ln. Catonsville, MD 21228),receiving guests starting at 11:00am, service at 11:30am followed by a reception. Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Marie’s family online at www.fhnfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to be made to the Benevolent Fund at Charlestown (https://ccicharlestown.org/giving/benevolent-care/) or the Monroe City, MO Nutrition Center (www.monroecitynutritioncenter.com).

Ollie Marie Anderson

November 20, 1938 - December 23, 2023