Marjorie Elizabeth Anderson

Marjorie Elizabeth Anderson, 89, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully of natural causes at Odyssey House in Palm Desert, Calif. on August 30, 2010. Born on November 8, 1920 in Pittsburg, Penn. to Oliver and Marie (Parker) Krum, Marjorie moved to San Diego, Calif. at the tender age of two and graduated from San Diego High School, "The Grey Castle," in 1939, just a year after meeting her future husband, Leonardo "Tom" Anderson. The couple met at church group in San Diego. Tom, who hails from San Pedro, Calif., was in the city working for an aging Norwegian sea captain, and was invited to The Church of the New Jerusalem's youth group events. Introduced to what he said was "a beautiful strawberry blonde girl named Marjorie," they began courting and were eventually married in 1941. Married on September 7, 1941 in The Church of the New Jerusalem in front of family and friends, the couple honeymooned in Sequoia National Park, a testament to their lifelong love of camping and exploring the great outdoors as a family. Settling in San Diego, where Marjorie continued her position in a downtown medical office and Tom worked a dredge for the Case Construction Company, the couple welcomed their first son Jay Leonardo on January 18, 1943 at the Harriman Jones Hospital in Long Beach, Calif. Shortly after Tom was discharged from the Navy in 1946, the family began spending time at the family homestead property, located in North Palm Springs. After the birth of their second son, Christopher Eric, in December of 1946, the family moved permanently to the desert. Marjorie dedicated herself to being a full time homemaker, raising her children, attending the Baptist Church in Desert Hot Springs and baking pies for local restaurants. In 1949, Marjorie became involved with the Girl Scouts of Palm Springs, working at the Scout House, located in what is now known as Ruth Hardy Park. Marjorie continued to work with the Girl Scouts in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, troops that were a part of the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council, for 40 years and was recognized nationally for her dedication and service. She also was a den mother for Cub Scouts. In November of 1953, Marjorie and Tom welcomed their youngest son Dean Blair and a year later the family moved from North Palm Springs to Rancho Mirage Cove, where Marjorie and Tom raised their family, and where Tom still resides today. A founding member of the Rancho Mirage Women's Club, in 1965 Marjorie was elected that organization's president and continued to be a board member for most of her life. She was also the decorations chairperson of the Desert Symphony Auxiliary from 1971 to 1972, named Soroptimist Woman of Distinction in 1990 and 1991, and was awarded the Athena Award from the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce in 1995. Marjorie was also a member of the Rancho Mirage Republican Women's Club, the Cathedral City Elementary School Parents Teachers Association and Desert Beautiful. Marjorie is survived by her husband, Tom; her sister, Jean Ebbert of San Diego; her sons, Jay of Vernonia, Ore., Christopher of Rancho Mirage and Dean of Palm Desert. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Scott Anderson of Stockton, Calif., Amy Anderson of Fairfield, Calif., Johnna Anderson of San Diego, Kathryn Menu of East Hampton, N.Y., Robyn Anderson of Palm Desert, Sean Anderson of Palm Desert; and great-granddaughter, Ella Marie of East Hampton, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council at 1751 Plum Lane, Redlands, California 92374 or by visiting www.girlscoutssangorgonio.org.