Barbara A. Andersen, age 91, of Worcester, beloved wife of 70 years to Dr. Roy Andersen, passed away Wednesday September 21st, surrounded by loved ones at the Notre Dame Care Center.
Barbara Andersen was a warrior for the rights of adoptees, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of those with developmental and physical challenges. She was a dynamic leader in the development of programs in support of those society had forgotten. Barbara was the force behind the now national standards of respite and residential care for the developmentally and psychically challenged. In all endeavors, she was truly unstoppable. In addition to advocacy for those in need, her passions in life were the theater and her family. She felt alive on stage in many performances through community and Summerstock theaters. She performed with famous actors, one of which was Katherine Hepburn, who requested that Barbara never upstage her again. As an adopted child, having a family of her own flesh and blood was a life-long dream, which she finally achieved with the births of her three children: Karen Andersen-Walsh, of Worcester, MA; Loring D. Andersen, of Huntington, NY; and Scott Andersen, of Redmond, WA. Her family was the center of her universe and through midnight toboggan rides, camp trips at Navaho archaeological sites, and many magnificent adventures, she made sure that her family knew they were loved.
Barbara treasured her life in Worcester, beginning with her time at Clark University. When Clark first opened their doors to women, Barbara knew that she had to enroll. She thrived at the University, where she became the first woman to be freshman class president and captain of the women’s basketball team. In support of her husband Roy’s attainment of his Masters and PhD degrees, she ventured to Dartmouth College, University of Maryland, and Duke University, where she researched and studied under the Sociology and Anthropology graduate Departments. At Duke Hospital, she devoted her time towards supporting transgender clients to achieve self-determination of their gender identity. Barbara was a woman far ahead of her time.
Barbara and Roy returned back to the city they loved, Worcester, in order for Roy to establish the graduate Physics department at Clark. A pioneer at heart, Barbara continued to be a leader. She became the first woman Rotary Club President in Massachusetts, President of the Children’s Friend Society as well as of the Clark University Faculty Club, and was honored as the Massachusetts’ representative for the State Office for Children. She was on the board for the Perkins School of the blind, and was a passionate member of the YWCA Daybreak program, which offered wrap around care for domestic abuse survivors. She directed the Nelson Place Players, to fund a new gym and library, was active in Central United Church of Christ, as well as developed after school theater programs to encourage children’s communications skills. Barbara founded the Worcester Area Association for Retarded Citizens (WAARC). WAARC supported families and their disabled children throughout the transition into a successful future. Through WAARC and cultivated community connections, Barbara was able to establish the innovative Camp Joy, which provided equestrian, music, art, drama, carpentry, gardening, and cooking classes for disabled children. Due to WAARC’s impact, Barbara received the Massachusetts House of Representatives Resolution honoring her for her work, “reflecting the highest principles of humanity, charity, and love for her fellow man”. The standards created by WAARC established the groundwork for other successful programs for special needs advocacy, such as Worcester’s Seven Hills.
Well into her 80’s, Barbara’s front door was always open, and her talents always available to WAARC clients, neighbors, friends, family, as well as Clark students in need of room and board. Giving back was second nature, in her words, “noblesse oblige!” Her compassion, much like her was unstoppable. After a lifetime of achievements, she was most proud of her relationships with family and close friends. Barbara was so full of life and cherished every moment with those she loved. Especially with her beloved grandchildren, Kirby Andersen, Allison Storck, Kirsten and Devon Walsh, whom she loved with all her soul.
Special Thanks to the entire staff at Notre Dame for your love, care, and going above and beyond with everything you did for Barbara and her family.
Additional Special Thanks to Tatnuck Park Worcester, Harbor for all the unbelievable support and top notch care for our beloved late Roy Andersen.
A memorial celebration of the life of Barbara Andersen will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 29 at Tatnuck Country Club, 1222 Pleasant Street, Worcester, 01602 immediately followed by a reception from 3:00 until 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Barbara A. Andersen Fund, Clark University Advancement Planned Giving, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610. Arrangements are in the care of CALLAHAN FAY & CASWELL Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St. Worcester. To view her online memorial, please visit us on Facebook at Callahan Fay Caswell Lindquist Funeral Home.