Judith Anna Anderson

​Judith Anna Anderson, of Grand Rapids, MI. passed away peacefully on October 10, 2020 at Grand Village Assisted Living, Grandville, MI. Judy was born Nov. 22, 1936 in Cincinnati Ohio, to Theodore G. Anderson and Elizabeth (Essie) Frances Anderson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Norman A. Anderson and his wife Glenda. She is survived by niece Donika Anderson, nephew Aaron Anderson, great-niece Cassidy Wagner-Anderson, dear life-long friend Betty Smith, and special neighbors, friends and cousins. Judy was a retired elementary school teacher with 37 years of service in Grand Rapids Public Schools. She was a lifelong learner, historian, and conservationist. She loved trees, birds, flowers, gardening, art, cats and children. She was a devoted daughter and friend and fiercely independent. She was active in the Grand Rapids Historical Society, and the Grand Rapids Post Card Collectors club. In her retirement, she volunteered weekly at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and loved educating children and adults on the history of old Grand Rapids. In 2013, Judy donated 80 acres of land in Muskegon county to West Michigan Land Conservancy. It was developed into Anderson Woods Nature Trails and Preserve. This was one of her proudest achievements. Judy’s devotion, kindness, vast historical knowledge and wicked sense of humor will be missed by family, friends and neighbors. We are grateful for the compassionate care she received while at Grand Village Assisted Living in her final days. A private memorial gathering will be held in 2021 where she will be placed with “her people” in Fruit land Township cemetery, under the grave marker which she had inscribed for herself which reads: Here I am… or am I?

Anderson Woods nearby, has beautiful trails to traverse and would-be wonderful way to honor her memory. Judy will be near in spirit.