JUNE 6, 1931 – DECEMBER 18, 2020
Barbara Naomi Anderson, 89, of Fort Collins, passed away Friday December 18, 2020. Born in Huntington Park, CA on June 6, 1931, she was the daughter of the late William and Naomi Gilmore. She married her sweetheart the late Rodney Anderson on December 24, 1951 in the LDS Mesa, AZ Temple. They were married for 65 years before his passing.
Barbara was a kind and loving mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She grew up in the Glendale/Burbank area, and graduated from Van Nuys High School in the winter class of 1949, and went to work for Bank of America. She met and married Rod Anderson on December 24, 1951 in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They lived in Biloxi, MS where Rod was stationed in the US Air Force. They made their home later in Simi Valley, California, where they raised their three children. She was an active member of their church serving in the Relief Society as teacher and president. She also served as a stake Girls Camp craft leader, Cub Scouts, but her greatest love was teaching early morning seminary for over 10 years. She loved working with the youth of the Church. She and Rod served a mission together in the Albuquerque New Mexico Mission. Barbara's life was full as she served others. She was a very talented artist, loving crafts, painting, sewing, and flower arranging. She owned her own floral shop for many years, providing flowers for many weddings and lovely occasions. She was passionate about floral design and made every arrangement a beautiful creation. She loved to play the harmonica, swim, enjoy the sun, and was an avid reader. From Simi Valley, they retired to Pine Mountain Club, CA. then to Salt Lake City, UT where they spent many happy years with family and friends.
Everything she did, she did with her adoring husband Rod. They were truly one, living to make each other happy. They are together again celebrating Christmas Eve, their favorite time of year.
Barbara is survived by her children, Jonathan Dee (Teresa) Anderson of San Tan Valley, AZ, Karen Anderson of Fort Collins, CO, and Laura (Ric) Thompson, of Fort Collins, CO; 8 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; sisters, Lee Kline of Eagle Mountain, UT, Sally Briggs of Sandy UT, Susan Hertz of NC; and brother, Bruce Gilmore of Fresno CA.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Violet; brother, William; and great grandson, Silas Cox.
A family private memorial service for Barbara will be held 10:00am. Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Resthaven Funeral Home with an internment and luncheon to follow.
The family would like to thank the Good Samaritan Village of Fort Collins for the loving care they gave Barbara for the last 18 months of her life. They truly were a blessing in her life.
