Margret Andersen Obituary

ANDERSEN, Margret Previously of Westfield and Falmouth, passed into God's hands 8-29-09 in Andover. She is survived by high school sweetheart and husband of 63 years, Robert. She also leaves behind children Laurits of Westfield, Carolyn of West Lafayette, IN, Christian of Andover, Sandra of Woodbridge, NJ, and Niels of Minneapolis, MN. Meg (or, Mrs. A, to her students) taught chemistry and directed numerous high school musical productions in Westfield and Dennis-Yarmouth, was a Reagan Presidential Award winner for excellence in Chemistry, and a Smith College Medal winner. After retiring, Meg was a tutor of calculus. Her husband, five children, fifteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren mourn her passing after succumbing to Alzheimer's disease. We praise and thank God for her life, work, teaching, nurturing and guidance. A memorial service to be held at First Congregational Church, 68 Main St., Falmouth, MA at 1 pm Saturday, 9-5-09. Memorial donations to: Alzheimer's Foundation of America at alzfdn.org.

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Published by Boston Globe on Sep. 4, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Margret Andersen

5 Entries

Jim Gusek, WHS '69

September 16, 2009

Hearing about Mrs. A's passing is sad news indeed. She was probably the most influential teacher I had at WHS; she & Mr. A were our co-class advisors (Class of 1969). I use the “factor label” method of calculating chemical quantities that she taught me and others almost on a daily basis; the two years of chemistry I had with her were the solid foundation for what I’ve been doing for the past 20 years in mine water pollution remediation. I will be forever grateful to her.

My sincere sympathies to the entire family.

Rhonda Stevens-Mojkowski

September 5, 2009

Mr. Andersen, Larry, Chris, Sandy, and Niels: I have many wonderful memories of your Mom. She had a beautiful laugh and warm heart. I am so very sorry.

Nancy Cheevers

September 4, 2009

Dear Laurits, Christian, Niels, Carolyn, and Sandy,
You may not remember me, Nancy Cheevers, but I am a huge Mrs. A fan. Presently I am the reading specialist in Northampton MA and am a college professor for Fitchburg State College. I wish so much that I could attend the funeral services tomorrow, but have my own family/professional responsibilities to attend.

The single most influential teacher in my life was your mother. She recognized me as an intelligent, capable, woman who could accomplish great things. As these were not the messages I received from home, she was the most influential woman in my life as a young person. She is the single reason I originally became a classroom teacher, the reason why I studied music and became a professor. She was my role model and inspired me to attend college, continue to graduate school, and to seek a professional teaching license.

When I was in my freshman year in college I wrote an entire essay to laud her teaching talents and have continued to think of her often. I believe I sent her a copy of the essay over 20 years ago!

I am said to hear of her passing, but know that she lived a life with purpose and was a great mentor for many of my classmates as well. Diane Sitler and I spent many after school hours by her side as chemistry students and as musical enthusiasts. In addition to understanding significant figures, she got us both on stage, singing, dancing, and creating. Little did we know that we were also gaining lifelong confidence for speaking up in the world and a lifelong love of musicals at the same time.

I am grateful to have known your mother, to have been her student, and to have had such a remarkable woman as a role model.

Sincerely,
Nancy A. Cheevers, Ed. D.
Leeds, MA 01053

Mark Van Heynigen

September 4, 2009

I am so sorry to see this news. Mrs. Andersen was my Chemistry teacher over 35 years ago at Westfield High School. I remember her as an excellent and demanding teacher. I'm a teacher now, so I know how effective she was.

Georgia Keefe

September 4, 2009

Rob,Laurits,Carolyn,Chris, Sandy, and Niels: I am so sorry to learn that your dear Mother is gone. Please know that she has been in my prayers daily since I visited her last year. I think that my prayers were answered. I am sure that she was welcomed into heaven by "76 Trombones" and that she is right now directing the angel choir with a rousing chorus of "Climb Every Mountain".
I wish I could be with you at this time, but we are leaving tomorrow for a family reunion in the Berkshires.
I send my love to you all and hope that I will be able to express my condolences in person at a later date. Sincerely, Georgia Keefe

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