Barbara Dodd Anderson, a resident of Fresno, passed away peacefully with her family by her side after struggling for several years with dementia. She was born in New York City to David and Elsie Dodd. BARBARA DODD ANDERSON
Barbara Dodd Anderson, a resident of Fresno, passed away peacefully with her family by her side after struggling for several years with dementia. She was born in New York City to David and Elsie Dodd.
Barbara received a BS in psychology from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and an MA from Columbia University in New York City. After graduation she became an elementary school teacher; first in Colorado Springs and later in Fresno. In 1958 Barbara married John S. Anderson who remained her devoted husband until his passing in 2000. Barbara was an avid gardener and was particularly proud of her extensive rose gardens. She was also a collector of antiques, a passion that she shared with her husband, John. In their later life Barbara and John traveled extensively in Great Britain where Barbara indulged her passion for English flower and herb gardens while John reminisced about his times there during the Second World War. Barbara loved children and worked as a Kindergarten teacher at Manchester Elementary until 1959 when she retired to devote herself to raising her own two children.
Later in life she again devoted herself to education through philanthropy. She and her husband were instrumental in fundraising efforts for United Cerebral Palsy's "Doorway to Dreams" Center in Fresno. She would often visit the center to interact with the children and offer suggestions to the teachers. Later Barbara became a supporter of educational programs at Columbia University. Most recently she was extensively involved in projects at George School, a Quaker high school in Pennsylvania which she attended in her youth. At the school she established the David L. Dodd Teaching Chair as well as the Barbara Dodd Anderson '50 Scholarship, which provides tuition aid to students in need. Barbara was also active in fundraising for building renovation and the construction of new library facilities at George School.
Barbara is survived by her son David; her daughter Gail; her daughter-in-law Elisabeth; and her beloved granddaughter Mollie. A Memorial Service will be held at Farewell Funeral Service in Fresno on Saturday, January 22, 2010, at 11:00 a.m.
An informal service will be held at the Chebeague Island Cemetery on July 10, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. Email for David is jdamodels@aol.com