Catherine Delane Anderson

Delane Anderson, 74, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away on March 15, 2017 of complications resulting from Alzheimer’s disease. With a beautiful view of newly green trees, fresh blooming flowers, and cardinals flying about, she died peacefully at home surrounded by her family and friends.

For more than 20 years, Delane served as a top aide to former U.S. Senator and Governor Lawton Chiles, in his Lakeland, FL Senate office and later leading a state government agency in Tallahassee.

The youngest child of Oscar and Kate Hill, she was born in Marshville, NC on July 3, 1942. She graduated at the top of her class at Peachland High School in Peachland, NC. Growing up in a poor family in the rural south, Delane began working immediately after high school in secretarial roles for large companies. Her intellect and work ethic helped her succeed.

She met her first husband, Robert Anderson, Jr. while living in Jacksonville, FL. They married in 1964 and had two children, Robert Lee, III and Lori Lea. Later the family settled in Lakeland, FL. They enjoyed hosting their family and friends from out of town and playing tour guide at Disney World and the other neighboring amusement parks.

In 1975, after her children were in school and at a time when professional opportunities for women were limited, Delane went back to work as an executive assistant in the Lakeland office of U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles. Sen. Chiles and other top aides were impressed with her hard work, dedication and management skills earning her increasing responsibilities. She was tapped to lead the Senator’s constituent services operation and would go on to become his most senior aide in the state until the Senator’s announcement in 1998 that he would leave office. The constituent services program she ran was so effective it became a model for other U.S. Senate offices around the country.

In 1990, when Lawton Chiles ran for Governor of Florida, he hired Delane as his campaign coordinator and she relocated to Tallahassee, FL. From 1991 to 1999, she served as Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, an agency with more than 2,000 employees.

Delane met Philip Nowicki in 1997 and the two married in 2002 and lived in Decatur, GA for a number of years. Wanting to retire in Tallahassee they bought a home and worked together to renovate it. It was during this time that Delane was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Throughout her life Delane was a sweet, affectionate, and caring person. As well as being a kind, giving and generous person, she had a remarkable wit and playfulness about her. She had a bright, beautiful smile, a joyful laugh and an elegant style. She was a terrific friend; a wonderful mother; a great sister; and an exceptional wife.

Delane battled Alzheimer’s disease with tremendous courage and dignity. Phil was committed to providing care for her at their home, which he did successfully until the end. This was made possible by a team of wonderful caregivers – Sarah Portillo, Rosa Montas-Agudelo, Katelyn Moloney, Mindy Towler – and by the volunteers and staff at the Alzheimer’s Project. While she lost her speech early on, she maintained her sweet disposition and sense of humor and still connected with those around her through touch, facial expressions and even dancing.

Delane is preceded in death by her brothers, Leon and Charles Hill. She is survived by her husband, Phil Nowicki; her son, Rob Anderson of Washington, DC; her daughter and granddaughter, Lori and Amelie Shook of Atlanta, GA; and, her three sisters, Helen Williams, Mable Bivens and Barbara Kelly of Charlotte, NC.

A celebration of her life is being planned and will be held in Tallahassee. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made on her behalf to the Tallahassee-based Alzheimer’s Project at alzheimersproject.org or at 301 East Tharpe St. Tallahassee, FL 32303. Visit www.culleysmeadowwood.com to share your memories of Delane with her friends and family.