Jessie M. Anders

Jessie M. Anders March 29, 1924 December 13, 2013 Jessie M. Anders died unexpectedly Friday after being transported to Tyrone Hospital from her home. She was born in Elmira, N.Y., daughter of Jessie L. Wright and Robert A. Lyvers, and lived in Williamsport, Harrisburg, and the Allentown/ Bethlehem areas of Pennsylvania before relocating to Tyrone in 1987. Surviving are a brother, Donald B. Lyvers, of Rhinebeck, N.Y.; three children from her marriage to John R. McHaffie: John R. McHaffie, Jr., of Lafayette Hill, Susan M. Enck and husband, John, of Altoona and Amy V. Bennett, of Rockport, Texas; and a grandson, Christopher A. Zeien and wife, Lynn, of Boston, Mass; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a beloved sister, Martha G. Wheat. When Jessie married James E. Anders in 1979, she welcomed three grown step-children into their family: James E. Anders, Jr., Christine Paris and Elizabeth Daniels (deceased); step-grandchildren, Eric Daniels and Heather Fletcher; and eventually, two step-great grandchildren. Jessie graduated from Elmira Free Academy in Elmira, N.Y. After studying voice at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., she discovered a talent for nursing while caring for her aunt and graduated from the Nurse Cadet Corps at Rochester General Hospital in 1947. Taking a hiatus to raise her children, Jessie returned to her profession in her forties, first as a private duty nurse and later at Holy Family Manor and Cedarbrook Fountain Hill, both in Bethlehem. While to Jim, she became a full partner in his business, Hydraulics Associates, editing his books, refining technical drawings and traveling the country with him as he taught seminars. Throughout her life, Jessie shared her many talents with family and an ever widening circle of friends. From her youth, she sang in various church choirs; in nursing school, she illustrated texts for her professors; in her years as a member of First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, she acted in amateur theatricals. With Jim, she enjoyed fishing and dancing. She gardened, canned vegetables, sewed everything from slipcovers to wedding dresses, and knitted hundreds of sweaters to be sent to children in need. As a member of the Tyrone Hospital Auxiliary, she raised funds and dressed in costume to cheer patients on holidays. With her devoted church family at First Presbyterian of Tyrone, she cooked for shut-ins, pieced quilts for raffles, taught Sunday school and served as a deacon. In her last years, Alzheimers began to rob her of her memories but never her zest for life. She embraced each and every day with an amazing positive attitude, humor and a can-do determination that inspired everyone who met her. The family wishes to thank her doctors, their staff, her friends, neighbors, and the people in local businesses whose many kindnesses helped her remain in her own home. A Memorial Service will be announced after the holidays by the Derman Funeral Home, Inc., Tyrone.