Ruth P. Anderson

Ruth Patricia Adele (Silvestri) Anderson, age 86 years, passed away quietly in her East Walpole home surrounded by her loving family on September 14, 2016. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on July 27, 1930, she was the only daughter of the late Patrick and Ruth A. (Kaler) Silvestri.

Beloved wife of the late Leonard Anderson, Ret. Fire Chief for the Town of Walpole. Loving mother of Patrick L. Anderson of Boston, William E. Anderson and his wife Karen Bullock of Sharon, and Judith M. Anderson of East Walpole; cherished grandmother of Erin M. Andersson and her husband Mark of Arlington, Patricia G. Rocha and her husband Josh of Mansfield, Kate Anderson of Mansfield, Patrick, Jesse, and Molly Anderson of Sharon; great-grandmother of Austin and Jared Rocha of Mansfield; sister-in-law of John and Marybeth Anderson of Plymouth and Richard and Barbara Anderson of W. Bridgewater; and caretaker of her beloved dogs Stella and the late Mitzi, Muffin, and Emily.

Born and raised in Norwood, Massachusetts, Ruth remained a proud native, supporting her home town all her life. She commemorated her graduation from Norwood High School, Class of 1948 with a memorial brick marker at its 21st century celebration. Ruth graduated from the Chandler School for Women to pursue business and secretarial studies. From there, she held several positions including Assistant Function Manager for the Hotel Touraine in Boston, Secretary at Stone & Webster Engineering Company, and Secretary to the Advertising Manager at Bird & Son, Inc. in East Walpole. On September 6, 1952, Ruth married Leonard Anderson at St. Denis' Church in Westwood, MA. She has been a resident of Walpole since 1954, moving there from Norwood with her husband Leonard to start their family. While raising 3 children, Ruth volunteered at the Norwood Hospital, was a charter member for the Walpole Junior Women's Club and held various offices, including President of the Walpole Mothers Club and Publicity Chairman of the Norwood Hospital Auxiliary. When her children were grown, Ruth returned to the workforce and worked for the Diet Center and then the Thomas J. Foley Insurance Agency in Norwood, retiring in 1998.

In her high school yearbook, Ruthie was remembered as a "technicolor dream" for her red hair and hazel eyes. For the children and grandchildren, she leaves behind, for the friends and family that knew her well, it will be her infectious laughter and smiling eyes that will be remembered and talked about often.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ruth's Life Celebration on Friday, September 16, 2016 from 4-8 PM and Saturday, September 17, 2016 from 9-9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.