Rebecca Both Anderson

Rebecca (“Becky”) Both Anderson, 70, was called home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Saturday, October 14, 2017. She had struggled for a number of years with dementia. Her husband and two children were at her side. Becky was born in Boston, Massachusetts January 21, 1947 to Mr. and Mrs. Murray Both. She grew up in Auburndale, a suburb of Boston. Becky attended the Dana Hall School for Girls and while in high school spent several summers with exchange student friends and their families in Mexico and Honduras. This encouraged a love of both travel and the Spanish language, and she later graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, majoring in Spanish with minors in French, German and Italian. Becky spent her junior year at the University of Madrid where she traveled Europe and advanced her Spanish fluency. She remained fluent in Spanish most of her adult life.

After graduation Becky began work at the Berlitz Language Schools in Boston. It was early 1970 when her life took quite a new direction. She had been helping a friend of her parents, who worked at the Harvard Business School, fill-in for his temporarily ill secretary. One cold and gray early February day while rounding a corner outside Baker Library carrying an armful of files, she literally bumped into a young man from Georgia. He was a second-year student graduating that coming May. Their eyes met (after he helped her pick-up her files), chatted for a minute or two, and the rest was history. Engagement in June was followed by marriage to John in September and the couple moved to Jacksonville. Some old friends used to say she saw a challenge in trying to teach him good English but that’s another story.

After only a few months of married life in Jacksonville, they moved to southeast Georgia for a temporary assignment with John’s company. While there Becky made a number of dear friends for life. But what so endeared her to everyone, and especially her husband, was her lifelong amazing versatility and willingness to try any adventure with joy and great adaptability. Case in point, when her husband, who usually hunted quail, etc. weekends brought her several squirrels to cook, she pitched right in. After consulting her wild game recipe book, she fried the finest squirrel and gravy over grits her husband had encountered. And the next evening she could be elegantly dressed to go out and be the most beautiful girl there (speaking three languages if necessary!)

Later years back in Jacksonville were ones of tremendous Christian growth and unwavering faith. Becky always reached outward to help and support others, sharing her natural loving kindness and Christian walk. She became deeply involved in a contemplative ministry and brought profound wisdom, guidance and encouragement to hundreds over the years. Hers was a powerfully peaceful yet unforgettable presence. Becky lived her faith.

She unceasingly devoted herself to her family. Her loving husband of 47 years, John, daughter, Sally and son, John Murray(Beth) and their four sweet grandchildren, Jack, Gracie, Wyatt and Izzie all received her love. She remained close to her brother, Peter, sister, “Teddy” and nephew, Hahn plus the numerous members from hers and John’s families.