Obituary of Barbara A. Anderson

"Amherst- Barbara A. (Groffman) Anderson , 69, passed away on July 20, 2006 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital . Born on May 18, 1937 in New York City, she was the daughter of the late George R. and Gertrude L. (Waldon ) Groffman. Barbara was raised and educated in New York and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Alfred University in 1959 and did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She lived in Granby for twelve years before relocating to Amherst 19 years ago. She taught art in East Northport, NY, Madison, Wisconsin and Halifax, Nova Scotia before teaching in the Springfield School System for 29 years, retiring in 1996. Barbara was an award winning poet and painter and also acted in community theatre. She was a member of the Haiku Poets Society of Western Massachusetts and did volunteer work at the Renaissance Center on the UMASS campus. Above all else, her passion in life was as a wife and mother. She also truly appreciated nature. Her husband of 44 years Ronald T. Anderson and her son Brett Anderson and his wife Kerry of Agawam survive her. She also leaves a brother Peter Groffmann of Holbrook, NY. A Memorial Service celebrating Barbara’s life will be held Thursday, July 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton St (Rt. 116) S. Hadley, MA. A visitation will precede the service from 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to the Renaissance Center at UMASS, 650 E. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002. "