Evelyn Gordon Anderson, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away in her home at the age of 84 on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Evie was born on February 24, 1936 in Yonkers, New York to Nathan and Gertrude Gordon.
She was educated in Yonkers public schools and attended Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, where she met her husband Olof Lennart Anderson. They married on June 17, 1956 and settled in Manchester, Connecticut the following year. She is survived by Olof, her two children, Elizabeth and Andrew Anderson, and three grandchildren, Shulamith Jacobi, Benjamin Jacobi, and Bethany Roby. Many others called Evie “Mom” because she deeply loved and cared for them throughout her life.
Evie was active in several communities. While living In Manchester, she was campaign manager for Olof, who was elected to the Manchester City Council for one term. She ran the Manchester campaign office for Rep. Emilio “Mim” Daddario in 1966, and was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention. She served on a committee to establish Manchester Community College, which has grown to 3,000 students. She also served on a committee to recommend accommodations for the disabled at Lincoln Center in New York City
Retiring with Olof to Thomaston in 1990, Evie served the community in many capacities.
She served on committees for Watts Hall, the General Henry Knox Museum, and upgrades to the
Thomaston downtown business district. She was a member of the Board of Bay Chamber Concerts. As President of the Thomaston Historical Society, she enlarged its building to complete its original footprint, and added climate-controlled storage of historical documents. Evie also transcribed the family letters of Thomaston resident and Maine Rep. Jonathan Cilley, which was published as A Breach of Privilege: Cilley Family Letters 1820-1867 (Seven Coin Press, 2002), and which won an award from the American Booksellers Association.
Those who knew Evie may leave memories and condolences at hallfuneralhomes.com, where a memorial service will later be announced for a date when conditions permit larger gatherings and hugs.
Should friends desire the family has requested that donations in Eve's memory be made to Thomaston Historical Society, P.O. Box 384, Thomaston, Maine 04861.
Hall's of Thomaston has care of the arrangements.