Obituary of Lydia Anderson

Lydia Lee (LaLa) Anderson , 90, passed away on Sunday, September 16, 2012. Born in Osawatomie , Kansas on March 10, 1922 and raised in St. Louis , Missouri , LaLa was the oldest child of Earl and Thelma Hobbs and grew up riding the rails of the Missouri Pacific Lines for whom her father was a safety director. During World War II, at a USO dance in St. Louis , she caught the eye of a dashing Navy fighter pilot, Gordon C. (Gordy) Anderson, and that chance meeting led to long distance correspondence and ultimately marriage in Daytona Beach on October 12, 1944. The strength and integrity of their seven decade romance was the anchor of the Anderson family and only ended with Gordy's passing on Veterans Day 2008. After the war, they moved to Kalamazoo , Michigan for college and then Traverse City , Michigan ; St. Petersburg , Florida ; Columbia , South Carolina ; and ultimately settled in Jacksonville in 1957, where they raised their children. LaLa is survived by her daughter Kamie MacInnes (David) of Atlantic Beach , Kamie's daughter Karly Heal (Travis), of Jacksonville , and grandchildren Kennedy Lee and new addition, Brett, born on September 19, 2012. She is also survived by her son Tim Anderson (Carole) of Tampa and children Kara Gogulski (Steve), Jacksonville, and grandchildren, Shelby and Gordy; Tim Anderson Jr. (Rosemary), Tampa, and new grandson, Tim III; and Matthew Anderson, Tampa. LaLa was a marvelous artist and instilled her love of art in three generations. She was also an avid reader, effortlessly devouring multiple books in a day and encouraged her children and grandchildren to immerse themselves in the written word. LaLa loved to entertain and could make a pie crust few could match. She was an appreciative listener, especially when her family's voices were raised in song. The family would like to thank LaLa's caregivers for their devotion and care during her stay at Fleet Landing. To allow for travel arrangements, a family memorial service is being planned at Community Presbyterian Church in Atlantic Beach , FL. In lieu of flowers, a gift to the Community Presbyterian Church Choir for restoration of the 1938 Knabe Baby Grand Piano, would be greatly appreciated.