Lena M. Anderson

Lena was born on April 4, 1930 in Edmeston, the daughter of the late James Avery and Edna (Davis) Palmater. Soon after Lena’s birth, the family moved to Otego. She attended schools in Otego and Morris. From the age of 12 to16 she worked in her grandparents, Hap and Lena Davis' diner in Morris. This is where she met her husband, David W. Anderson, Sr. They were married in Oneonta on July 2, 1949.

They lived in various locations in Oneonta in the 1950's. She loved working at Nick's Diner, where she worked for 9 years and only left when the family's move to Afton. She worked briefly for Homer Folks, but left there because she had 4 small children to raise. In August 1963, Lena and her family moved to Morris. Her husband David started his own home improvement business and the family continued to grow to 8 children. Lena loved being a Den Mother for her son's Boy Scout troops.

In 1982, Lena and David became snowbirds, going to Zephyrhills, FL. Lena enjoyed this very much, and with all the flea markets there, she was in her glory.

Lena was a member of the Cooperative Extension where she learned upholstery, and took other classes as well. She volunteered for 30 years in the Floral Hall at the Otsego County Fair. Some of her passions in life were sewing clothing for her family, cardinals and Johnny Cash. Her greatest passion was being with her family.

Lena was diagnosed with Alzheimer's several years ago. She eventually went to live with her daughter Betty, who was her caregiver until the end. Betty took wonderful, top quality care of her mother for which all her siblings are eternally grateful.

Lena is survived by her sons and their spouses, Robert and Sharon, David and Mary, Bill and Anita, Tom and Cindy, and Rodney; her daughters, Phyllis Stone, Debbie, and Betty.

She is also survived by 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Fred West; her sisters, Marie Bates and Lorraine Caplette; and many special friends, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, David; her brothers, John and Russell; her sisters, Marian, Beverly, Carol, Guila, and Suzanna; and her grandson, Lynn Stone.

Friends and family are welcome to visit from 4pm to 7pm on Monday, January 20, 2014 at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta, at which time her family will be in attendance.

A graveside service will be held in the spring, when she will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Hillington Cemetery in Morris.

In lieu of flowers, Lena’s family requests that charitable donations be made in her memory to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820; and/or the Otsego County Fair Association, P.O. Box 469, Morris, NY 13808; and/or to the Alzheimer's Association of America, Leatherstocking Region, The Meadows Suite 2, 140 County Hwy 33W, Cooperstown, NY 13326.