Beatrice Victoria Anderson

Beatrice Victoria Anderson, 76, fondly known as Sissy, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA, where she resided most of her life. Born November 22, 1949, Sissy was the second of three children of Willis E. Anderson Sr. (1923-1998) and Geneva Harris Anderson (1929-1995). Sissy and her eldest brother were born in Richmond, VA; the family moved to Philadelphia, PA when Sissy was young. Sissy and her brothers, Willis, Jr., and Michael, grew up in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia, where Sissy remained until her passing. Sissy attended Germantown High School; following her graduation in 1967, she attended nursing school through Germantown Hospital. After graduating as a registered nurse, Sissy dedicated her life to caring for others at Germantown Hospital before moving on to Hahnemann Hospital, where she worked until her retirement.
Nursing was truly Sissy’s calling. She never hesitated to help someone in need and found beauty in the entire cycle of life. Sissy’s best friend once asked what she would do if she weren’t a nurse; Sissy was unable to answer. She never considered being in a position where she wasn’t able to provide care and support to others; it was ingrained in her entire being.
Sissy was a fan of nature and the arts. She loved gardening, and in the warmer months, she could often be found in her yard planting flowers and bir0d-watching. Sissy always celebrated when the first purple crocuses bloomed in her garden, saying that was how she knew “spring had sprung.” She also enjoyed most types of music, Jazz, Classical, and Motown in particular. When her daughter was young, they held season tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Children's Concerts; every Saturday, they would enjoy music followed by lunch at the Reading Terminal Market. She was an avid science fiction and comic book fan. As a teen, she collected both Marvel and DC Comics and always enjoyed new Star Wars and Marvel movie releases as an adult. She enjoyed listening to trivia shows on NPR and the Blues Show on WXPN. In her youth she loved to travel, she and her aunt were known to pack a small bag and go on an impromptu roadtrip or catch a flight somewhere warm on a whim. She was also a homebody, who could often be found reading a sci-fi book or magazine, working on a complex puzzle, or watching a Disney Special or a British mystery with her beloved pets, most recently her cats Ally and Pippa.
Sissy was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers. Sissy is survived by her daughter, Katherine (Scott); granddaughter, Lily; nieces, Staci (Brynn), Geneva (Sean), and Renee; her nephew, Michael Jr.; her Goddaughter, Courtney (Tyrone); and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. Sissy cherished time with friends and family. Among her countless happy memories, she loved the moments spent gardening with her granddaughter, sharing a meal or going on an outing with her daughter, laughing with friends at Thursday tea, and celebrating “Happy Fridays” with neighbors. She was always excited for the holiday season, particularly Thanksgiving dinner with family and Christmas brunch with family and friends.
Those who knew Sissy described her fondly. Friends and family alike say she was truly a light, kind to everyone she met, strong in her convictions, and a joy. She was a quiet soul, with a surprising sense of humor, who could bring a laugh and a smile to everyone who crossed her path. Sissy will be truly missed, though lovingly remembered.
A garden memorial service will be planned by the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity Sissy held dear: UNICEF, The PBS Foundation, NPR, or Doctors without Borders.