Mona M. LaFay Anderson

1941 - 2023

Mona M. LaFay Anderson
October 17, 1941 - April 16, 2023
New Meadows, Idaho - Early on Sunday morning, April 16, 2023, in Eagle, Idaho, with her family close, and after a courageous battle, our Mona quietly slipped away to a space where great love will surround her and she will be at peace.
Mona Marie started this life 81 years ago at the hospital in Council, Idaho, on October 17, 1941. Her parents, Marcia J. Wilson and Vernon ("Bud") Lafay, were true descendants of Meadows Valley's pioneering families. Mona's family history was very important to her. She kept safe and cherished many items, photos and family heirlooms to honor the memories she had with and of her family.
Mona was raised in her beloved Meadows Valley (MV) enjoying the carefree life, riding bikes and horses and bossing her brothers and cousins around. She was small, but she was mighty! She attended MV schools and graduated in 1959. The following fall she attended Boise Junior College where she met and eventually married Tom Anderson who was stationed at the Air Force Base in Mountain Home. Being from Tennessee, Tom was quite taken with this Idaho gal.
When Tom was discharged from the Air Force, they, with little daughter Marcy, moved to Lewiston where they became house parents at the North Idaho Children's Home, and their second daughter, Toni, was born. As the years went by Tom's career as a policeman and then with FBI began. The family moved to California and Mona found a love of running and tennis and was a fierce competitor. She entered the San Francisco Bay to Breakers Marathon and at one time competed in her Tennis Club women's finals against her daughter Marcy. As Marcy put it "motherhood went out the window - she wanted to win, and she did." Also, being a successful runner among over 50,000 participants, Mona came in at the top of her group. Each summer they spent a month in Idaho at their lake house in McCall, which involved outings with friends and family, good food and lots of boating. In 1978, Mona, Tom and Marcy dominated the McCall Recreation Program's Tennis Tournament, winning each of their divisions.
After Tom's Retirement in 1997, they moved to McCall, Idaho, and lived full time in their lake home until they purchased a home at the Meadow Creek Golf Resort in Meadows Valley, Idaho, and began a new life with wonderful friends and days of Golf.
One of Mona's favorite times was when she would go to Lewiston each year to golf with her sister-in-law, Susan, in her club tournament while her brother, Miles, played host. Mona Traveled to Mexico each year from their winter home in Green Valley, AZ, went on an Alaskan Cruise, enjoyed the Calgary Stampede in Canada with the "cowboys" and took her Mom and Dad with them on many trips.
A rewarding accomplishment in her life was the establishment of "The Fosdick Golf Tournament" in 1984 to benefit the community of Meadows Valley. She and Tom, along with hundreds of volunteers have raised over $700,000 in contributions to organizations, individuals, and students over the last 37 years. Such a wonderful expression of generosity, and at the same time having a whole lot of FUN - Oh the stories that could be told!
As we think of Mona, the keeper of our history, we see her smile, hear her soft chuckling laugh, remember how much she loved her family, how she loved the holidays and decorations, spending time and shopping with her daughter Toni, morning phone visits with her brother, the flowers, Gram Marie's rock, the love of all animals like "Puddin", her holding up traffic, and her compassion and loyalty.
Mona said she had a wonderful life and was proud of the accomplishments of her grandchildren and all of her family. We, as a family, know our lives will never be the same without her. We love you Mona - you will forever be missed.
Mona is survived by her husband of 62 years, Tom; daughters Marcy and Toni of Eagle; granddaughter, Bailey and grandsons Thomas and Justin and family of Eagle; brother, Buddy (Viki) of New Meadows; brother Miles (Susan) of Lewiston; niece and nephews. Mona was preceded in death by her parents.
We are very grateful to friend, Diane Cannon, who was there giving Mona comfort and strength during these last few months.
In Mona's memory you might consider a donation to The Fosdick, PO Box 466, New Meadows, Idaho 83654, or The Adams Co. Historical Society, PO Box 352, New Meadows, Idaho 83654, or to your favorite charity.
A celebration of life is planned for June 17th, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. in the Meadow Creek Clubhouse at the golf resort in Meadows Valley, Idaho.