Molly Anderson Obituary

Molly Anderson, formerly of Brookfield, died September 11, 2008 in Pocatello ID. She was 86. Molly was born in Dartford, Kent, England on July 29, 1922 to Robert and Lily West, where she grew up and attended schools. When war was declared between England and Germany in September of 1939 she went to work in the Medical Department of the Royal Arsenal in S.E London where she was secretary to the Senior Medical Officer. For the next six years the area was the site of the London Blitz and the Battle of Britain. Enemy bombs resulted in the loss of a home, some family and some friends. She met Charles I (Andy) Anderson of the U.S. Army and they were married on July 22, 1944, and they remained happily married for over 45 years until Andy's death in November 1989. Their son, Greg, was born in England in April of 1946. Molly and Greg came to the U.S. in June of 1947 to join Andy in Chicago. They later lived in the Chicago suburbs of Brookfield and Downers Grove. A second son, Douglas, and daughter, Elaine, were born during this time. Molly worked in the library of George Williams College in Downers Grove and she and Andy were very involved in numerous community concerns. She and Andy moved to Pocatello Idaho upon retiring. Molly was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Brookfield and later Grace Lutheran Church of Pocatello. She was a medical center volunteer for many years and had also volunteered for the Chamber of Commerce visitors center in Pocatello as well as working for the Red Cross both in Brookfield and Idaho. All her life she was active in the Girl Scouts both in England and the U.S. She was also a member of "The English Club", a group of war brides who met in the early 1950s in the western Chicago suburbs and remain friends to this day. She treasured their friendship. She is survived by a son, Greg (Cheryl) of Pocatello, ID; a daughter, Elaine Pinson of Aurora, IL, three grandchildren, Stephen Anderson, Tim (Michelle) Anderson and Emily Pinson; three great grandchildren, Tyler, Jordyn and Hayden Anderson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Andy, and a son Douglas. Funeral services were held Monday, September 15, 2008 at Grace Lutheran Church, Pocatello Idaho. Interment was in Mountain View Cemetery, Pocatello ID, next to her husband, Andy.