Alfreda Anderson, wife of the late Alfred Anderson of Swarthmore, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2019, at the age of 96. Alfreda was the daughter of Alfred and Mary Hyett of Lydney, Gloucestershire, England, and the eldest of five children.
Alfreda served as a nurse during World War II in Gloucester, England. It was here that she met her future husband, Captain Alfred Anderson, at a hospital dance held for officers in the U.S. Army and hospital nurses. Following the war, Alfred and Alfreda, along with their young daughter Elisabeth, traveled to the United States aboard RMS Queen Mary, as was typical of other war brides during that era.
Alfreda practiced nursing in later years and obtained her RN credentials. Her career spanned several decades from hospital work to nursing homes, and ultimately private duty.
Alfred and Alfreda traveled numerous times to England to visit family and friends. Their traveling also took them to Russia, Hawaii, and ultimately China. The Andersons traveled with a contingency of nurses to China in the spring of 1989 to study Chinese medical practices, both mainstream and holistic. It was during their stay in China they witnessed the student protests and spoke with young students in Tiananmen Square practicing their English. Little did they know at the time that there visit to the Square was merely days away from the massacre of these young people.
Alfreda is survived by her children, Elisabeth (Skip), Martin (Sharon), Scott (Susan) and Keith (Peter); and her grandchildren, Geoffrey, David and Steven. Her siblings have since passed, her sister Theresa, sadly, in most recent days.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 301 N. Chester Road, Swarthmore, PA 19081 on Saturday, June 22, at 2 p.m. Her family welcomes all who knew Alfreda and want to join in the celebration of her life.
Alfreda’s love for nature and animals is reflected in the many organizations to which she contributed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of her three favorite charities: Earthjustice Legal Defense, Voorhees Animal Orphanage, a no-kill shelter, and Best Friends Animal Society.
Condolences may be sent to griffithfuneralchapel@verizon.net.
Arrangements are by the Griffith Funeral Chapel in Norwood, Pa.
