Shirley Anderson

Shirley Ann Anderson, 80, of Windsor, CO died July 4, 2016. Shirley was born on February 27, 1936 in Oakland California, born to Oscar and Maude Hansen. Shirley graduated from San Mateo High School in 1954. She attended San Jose State University, where she received a BA degree in education. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, to which she dedicated significant volunteer time throughout her life, especially the house at Colorado State University.

Shirley met the love of her life, Al Anderson, on a blind date, and the two were married on August 23, 1959 in San Mateo, California. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage until Al’s passing on November 25, 2012. Shirley and Al lived in Nebraska for 10 years, where all 3 of their children were born, prior to moving to Ft. Collins in 1969.

In addition to being a devoted homemaker and beloved mother, Shirley served the community in many ways. She was rush chair for the Thetas at CSU for many years, she was an active member of PEO, precinct captain for the Republican party, volunteer at church, and a Ram Ambassador at CSU football games. It was Shirley’s diagnosis of breast cancer in 1981, that led to more opportunities to serve. After surviving, she became coordinator of Reach to Recovery, a program that matched breast cancer survivors with newly diagnosed patients. It represented Shirley’s quality of staying positive and turning challenges into opportunities to serve. Shirley’s faith in Jesus Christ gave her the capacity to stay positive and stay serving as she would survive two more incidents of cancer.

She served her family as well as she served her community. After raising three children, she became the grandmother of the “Blessed 7” to whom she poured her love and attended countless sporting events, concerts, dance recitals and events.

Activities Shirley loved included travel, skiing and participating in Bible Study Fellowship.

In September 2014, Shirley was diagnosed with ALS, a disease which offers no opportunity for recovery. As her body surrendered to the disease, her positive spirit, her faith, her smile and the sparkle in her eyes remained. Her only concern being “How can God use me through this?”

Shirley is survived by her sister Carol Small, her 3 children, Steve, David and Amy, and the “Blessed 7” Rachel, Matt, Isabelle, Joel, Ruby, Laila and Sarai.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 14th, 10am, at Resurrection Fellowship, 6502 Crossroads Blvd. in Loveland.

Flowers may be sent to Resurrection Fellowship Church. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The ALS Association-Rocky Mountain Chapter or Hope Lives Breast Cancer Support Center in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526.