Mrs. Elizabeth R. "Betty" (McBride) Anderson, a resident of Brooksby Village in Peabody, formerly of Andover and beloved wife of the late Stephen P. Anderson, passed away at her home on Thursday, June 6, 2024. She was 81 years old.
Betty was the first baby born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on January 1, 1943, to the late Francis J. "Frank" McBride and Dorothy (Sturmer) Van Petten. She was a graduate of Northeastern University, earning her Bachelor's Degree in English Literature with a concentration in Accounting. Betty was the first female in her family to graduate from college, a feat that she treasured her whole life. She had been employed as an Accountant for many years at the firm Westover Insurance & Choices Software Design, where she earned several Insurance licenses and certifications.
As a young girl, Betty had a passion for swimming and trained to swim across the English Channel until she contracted Polio at age 12. From that time on, Betty dedicated herself to conquering her physical limitations and accomplishing many amazing achievements in her lifetime. She was named "Miss School Spirit" in her senior year at Andover High School and also overcame blindness late in her life.
Betty was an inspiration for strength and perseverance to her family and friends, and her resilience and steadfastness will be remembered by all who knew her. Despite her physical obstacles, she approached each day with determination, selfless kindness, and a sense of humor. This will surely be her legacy. Betty was a lifelong volunteer for many charities and organizations, especially for the Post Polio Association, Pre Cana Marriage Mentoring Program, The St. John's Parish CYO in Swampscott, and volunteer tax preparation through the Swampscott Library. She devoted herself to helping other people in every way that she could.
Perhaps her greatest passion of all was spending time with her grandchildren all of whom she was immensely proud of. She and Steve spent countless hours participating in creative and educational activities with all their grandchildren and attending their various sporting events and other endeavors. In her spare time she also loved baking bread and reading.
Betty will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her loving children, Stephen and his wife, Sharon Anderson of Beverly, and Terry Anderson and her husband, Mark Chisholm of Andover; brother Donald McBride with remembrances of his late wife of many years Patricia "Pat" McBride of Jacksonville, Florida; dear lifelong friends, Lorna and John McIntyre of Andover; grandchildren; Max, Ben, Luke, Charlotte, Jake, and Zack and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers, Stephen McBride of Andover, Francis Joseph McBride (Joe) and Richard Daniels (Red).
Betty's funeral services will be held at a later date. Donations in Betty's memory may be made to the Post-Polio Health Association, 50 Crestwood Executive Center, Suite 440, St. Louis, MO 63126. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home of Andover. For additional information, please visit www.burkemagliozzi.com.