Phyllis L. Anderson

Phyllis (LeShane) Anderson, 94, of Braintree formerly of East Dennis, died October 18, 2021 at South Shore Hospital of natural causes.

Phyllis was born and raised in Waltham, the only child of Barbara (Fifield) and Malcolm LeShane. She would often recall the fun and sometimes mischievous time spent at the cottages in Sudbury with the “LeShane” cousins including Harry, Carol, Sally and Russell with whom she was still in frequent contact. 

Following graduation from Waltham High School in 1945, Phyllis attended the MGH School of Nursing as a Navy Nurse Cadet. She graduated in 1948 as a Registered Nurse. Her Mass General training was a guiding light throughout her life and she would not hesitate to let you know if your behavior was not up to the MGH standard. She married her childhood sweetheart Walter Anderson “Andy” also of Waltham, in 1949 and raised their 4 children in Hingham where she put her MGH training to good use as school nurse in the Hingham school system for many years.

While raising her family, vacations were often spent at the simple cottage her father had built in 1950 in the mountains of Hill, NH which he affectionately called “God’s Country”. The Hill “Cottage” is now being enjoyed by the 4th generation.

Phyllis passed along her mother’s talent for cooking, sewing and handicrafts to her daughters as well as her father’s carpentry and handyman skills. Petite in stature but big in heart, Phyllis used her cooking talents to entertain football coaches and players of her husband’s Hingham High team with pumpkin pies and cookies made from the jack o’lanterns that covered the front lawn the day after Halloween! Her homemade cookies and brownies were graciously gobbled up by neighbors and her children’s friends. The torch has been passed on for her delicious Chocolate Mint Sticks to Allyson and for the Christmas Plum Duff aka the Fire Cake to Judy to pass along to the next generation. 

Once Phyllis and Andy retired to Cape Cod in 1985, she “served” as first mate on their 21-foot Boston Whaler, the “SeaDog”. Pictures of one of the 900+ pound tunas they caught always bring gasps of amazement.  Phyllis loved gardening and was an active member of the Dennis Ladies Aide Society running their annual plant sale many times. 

As snow birds for 25 years to Tampa, Florida, Phyllis and Andy enjoyed playing golf and having various family members come on vacation. Phyllis loved to go to the paddocks at Tampa Downs before the races to admire the beautiful horses. They especially cherished watching their granddaughters Sara and Amy grow up. Rushing them directly from the Tampa airport to the roller coasters at Busch Gardens was always a thrill.

Phyllis was known for her sweet smile and her welcoming warmth. After her husband’s death in 2015, she moved into assisted living at Grove Manor Estates in Braintree and again put her nursing skills to work helping new residents adjust to community living and watching out for those who might need a helping hand. Her BINGO buddies will all remember that “O66” was Phyllis’ special number.

Phyllis is predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Walter H. Anderson “Andy” and her daughter Wendy J. Anderson.  She is survived by daughters Judy Anderson of Belmont and Allyson Anderson-Sterling and her husband Rick of Mansfield; granddaughters Sara Robertson and her husband Tim of Haverhill and Amy Sterling currently of Denver, Colorado; a son Stephen Anderson of Sandwich and his family; and a niece and nephew and their families.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Phyllis’ life on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 2-4 PM at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, 809 Main St. Weymouth, MA 02190. Burial will be private.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the MGH Nurses’ Alumni Association, PO Box 6234, Boston, MA 02114.