Shirley Wagner Anderson

On March 9, 2025, we bid farewell to the loving matriarch of our family, Shirley Anderson as the Lord called his beloved child home. Shirley Wagner Anderson was born on August 3, 1931 in Pawtucket, RI. The third child, and youngest child of Pearl and Clifford Wagner, Shirley loved spending time with her brother and sister growing up in New England.
Shirley was a trailblazer in many ways, becoming one of the few women in her generation to attend the University of Rhode Island, where she graduated with a nursing degree, determined to serve others. She was a true inspiration to others, including her daughter and granddaughter, who followed in her footsteps by becoming nurses themselves. Shirleys work ethic and attention to detail set her apart from others around her in school and throughout her life.
Not long after graduation, Shirley married the love of her life, her college sweetheart, Charles "Charlie" Anderson on September 12, 1953. In their first year of marriage, she gave birth to their son, and she left her career to dedicate herself to her husband and family.
When Shirley dedicated herself to doing something right, she always went above and beyond. She loved her son and daughters, and she dedicated the rest of her life to her family. She was the cookie mom, class mom, chauffeur, scout leader, and so much more. She poured her heart and soul into loving and caring for her husband, children and their many friends that were a permanent staple in the loving Anderson home in Livingston, New Jersey.
As an active member of St Peters Episcopal Church in Livingston, she spent countless hours volunteering at the Thrift Shop and teaching her children the importance of loving and living a life in the image of Jesus Christ.
In retirement Shirley and Charles moved to Naples, Florida, but continued to spend their summers with their children and grandchildren in Maine. No detail was ever forgotten, from the LL Bean embroidered towels to the fresh PJs waiting for each of her grandchildren when they arrived to her warm embrace. She loved playing golf, eating lobster, taking her grandchildren out for ice cream, and sipping cocktails on the beach or lake.
Late in life Shirley and her family were blessed to have Anita Tuapola in their lives as Shirleys aide and friend. With family scattered across the country, Anita spent years loving and spoiling Shirley and making sure that she knew every new member of her family. In her final days, she and Anita excitedly counted down the days until Shirleys youngest granddaughters wedding. She passed away only days short of the ceremony, but, in the words of the bride: "now I know Grandma is here at my wedding with me."
Shirley and Charlie were also lovers of nature, and she spent nearly every summer at their camp in Maine with her children, and later grandchildren, building memories and learning lessons that forever shaped them into the men and women they would become.
She and Charlie built a family whose closeness transcends the typical obstacles of age, geography, personalities and time. She taught her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to love with all their hearts, and their mutual love of Maine and the family retreat that Shirley and Charlie built continues to strengthen and build bonds now and in the future.
Shirley was greeted in heaven by her mother and father, Pearl and Clifford Wagner, her daughter-in-law Lori Anderson, sister and brother in-law Manning and Marge Goldense and brother Cliff (Mable) Wagner, and, most importantly, her beloved husband of Fifty Years, Charles Anderson.
She is survived by her children Bill (Michele) Anderson, Donna (Jim) Bold, and Nancy (Brian) Carmichall, sister-in-law Mable Wagner, and longtime friend and aide Anita Tuapola.
Shirley is also survived by her many adoring grandchildren Matthew (Krysten) Bold, Jessica (Pete Miller) Anderson, Steven (Megan) Bold, Kyle (Neha) Anderson, David (Veronica) Burger, Kristin (Troy) Donnell, Thomas (Sarah) Bold, Brittany (Bailey) Stringer, and her great-grandchildren Connor Bold, Claire Bold, Wolfgang Bold, Elizabeth Bold, Andersyn Donnell and great-grandchild on the way, Lilly Belle Burger. Shirley adored each and every one of her family members, who also loved and adored her.
Shirleys celebration of life will be in a small family service at St. Johns Episcopal church in Naples, Florida on Saturday, March 22, 2025, where she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband of fifty years.
The family asks simply for your thoughts and prayers. Should anyone wish to send anything, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to:
St. Johns, Episcopal Church,
500 Parkshore Dr.,
Naples, FL 34103
In loving memory of Shirley Wagner Anderson To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Shirley, please visit our Tree Store.