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Mary Anderson
1922 - 2025
BORN
1922
DIED
2025
UPCOMING SERVICE
Mary Anderson Obituary
Mrs. Anderson died November 23, 2025 at Barnes Hospital due to a stroke at the age of 103.
Born in St. Louis, MO, she developed a love for the violin and graduated from Sumner High School, at age 16. She later graduated from Harris-Stowe State University and became a teacher shortly afterward,.
She taught violin in the public school system of Nashville, Tennessee, while her husband attended medical school. She then taught elementary school for a short time and later taught instrumental music at various St. Louis public schools for approximately twenty years. After earning a master's degree in Speech and Theatre Arts from St Louis University she performed in local dinner theatre productions, including a supporting role in "God's Favorite " starring Stubby Kaye. She later coordinated at Project Stay, and then taught theatre arts at Cleveland High School. Mrs. Anderson then earned a Ph.D. in education from St. Louis University with a dissertation on the history of Young Audiences.
Mrs. Anderson was a member of The Links Inc., The Girlfriends Inc., and the Trinity Episcopal Church choir. After retirement, she was a member of the Episcopal Diocese Commission on Dismantling Racism for many years. She championed the performing arts as a patron of The St Louis Black Repertory Theatre and the St Louis Symphony Orchestra, establishing a fund in the name of her son, the pianist, the late Bruce Anderson PhD. She also performed in the violin section of the University City Symphony Orchestra until she was 97, only stopping because the COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary shutdown of the orchestra. She loved music, theatre, her family, justice, and her faith, to her final days.
She is survived by two sons, John M. Anderson III J.D., and Dale J. Anderson M.D. and their wives,.
Karen Fulbright Anderson, PhD. and Susie Anderson, M.A.
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Memories and Condolences
for Mary Anderson
2 Entries
Charles R. McManis
November 30, 2025
Like so many others, I met Mary Ellen when I began attending and became a member at Trinity Episcopal Church back in 1979, where she and her family were already pillars of that community. For many years, Trinity held a parish talent show, and Mary Ellen always participated by playing her violin. Indeed, over the years she was featured a the final performer, and she always concluded her performance by playing a familiar song, such as "Home, Home on
the Range," and invited the congregation to join in singing with her. She was a blessing to me and many at Trinity, and we will miss her beautiful presence there and will rember her every All Saints Day.
FAITH MADDY
November 30, 2025
I had the pleasure if knowing Mary through my work at the SLSO. She always had a smile for everyone. And she had the best twinkle in her eyes! She was a gift to anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
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