Mary Ann Anderson

Mary Ann (Melvin) Anderson, 61, of Missoula, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, of natural causes.

She was born October 31, 1955 in Butte to Edward and Virginia Melvin. Mary was fifth in a large family of eight children, and attended Whitehall Elementary and Hellgate High School. She worked briefly as a telephone operator at Mountain Bell.

Mary married Jack Anderson on October 19, 1982. They lived in Alaska for over 20 years, where she was proudly a stay-at-home mother of their two children, Cassie and Jeremy. Mary and Jack later divorced, and she returned to Missoula in 2005 after her children graduated from high school to be closer to family.

Mary enjoyed gardening, birds, and making beautiful decoupage art. Her hearty sense of humor delighted family & friends, and she made friends easily. Mary treasured her children and family. She loved to cook and surround herself with those she loved. Her omelets with sprouts, and poor man’s lobster made from halibut, were delicious! Mary never turned down an invitation to dine out, and if shrimp appeared on a restaurant menu she ordered it!

Mary suffered from many health challenges throughout her life, but she didn’t give up. She had a great support system within her family and will be deeply missed.

Mary was preceded in death by parents Ed and Ginny Melvin; grandparents Michael and Catherine Melvin and Peter (Red) and Liz Olson; cousins Rosemary Olson, Mark Olson and JoAnne Sullivan; many aunts & uncles; and niece Christa Caira.
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Survivors include children Cassie Anderson, Jeremy (Juizy) Anderson and daughter Skye of Anchorage, Alaska; sister Kathy (Ken) Leip of Natick, Massachusetts; sisters Diane Melvin, Pauline Logan, and Teresa (Jim) Nichols of Missoula; sister Rita Caira of New Bedford, Massachusetts; brothers Mike (Ann) Melvin of Helena and Joe Melvin of Missoula; aunt Peggy Olson of Helena; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and family services for Mary will be held in May.