Obituary of Frances D. Anderson

WESTFIELD - Frances D. Anderson, "Fran", 97 of Westfield NY went home to be with her Lord on August 21, 2014 at Absolut of Westfield. Born June 14, 1917 in the Town of Chautauqua, Frances Ellenore Dibble was the daughter of the late Newton Wallace and Carrie Mary Koeller Dibble. She married Donald Blackburn in 1936. Following his death in 1969, she married Leon Burdette Anderson in 1970. Frances lived in the Westfield area most of her life, except for seven years (1977-1984) in Sarasota-Bradenton FL. She graduated from Westfield High School class of 1934. She attended Fredonia Normal School for two years, later earning a Bachelor of Education degree in 1956 and Masters of Education in 1962 from SUNY Fredonia. From 1949 until 1972, Frances taught at Sheridan District #3, Sherman Central School, and Westfield Academy and Central School where she taught primarily First and Fifth grades. She was active in the Westfield Teachers Association, the Chautauqua County Teachers Association, and a life member of the NYS Retired Teachers Association. She was also a member of the American Association of University Women, Crown Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, 4-H Club (leader), Monday Club, and Mayville and Westfield Senior Citizens Clubs. Fran enjoyed volunteer work at the Patterson Library, the Chamber of Commerce Tourist Information Booth at Barcelona, Y.W.C.A., Landmark Society, Chautauqua County Historical Society, Chautauqua County Genealogical Society, and Westfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Frances was the oldest female member of the First Baptist Church of Westfield where she served as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Ladies Missionary Society, Memorial Committee, and as Church Historian during which she wrote the History of 170 Years of the Church, "Salt and Light on the Corner of Kent and Union Streets". Her greatest loves were her Lord, her family, and her church family and friends. Surviving Mrs. Anderson are her daughter, Marybelle Blackburn Beigh of Silverton CO, her son, Rev. John Blackburn (retired) and his wife, Yvonne of Westfield, and a special niece, Carla Marcus Sperry of Black Mountain NC; also eight grandchildren: Mark Hall, Silverton CO; Mara Blackburn Cook (Andrew), Missionaries in Lisbon Portugal; Christy Blackburn Brewster (David), Dayton OH; Megan Blackburn Rodriguez (Michael), Sherburne NY; Chandra Blackburn Cruz (William), Locke NY; Elizabeth Sperry, Kansas City MO; Timothy Sperry (Linda), Georgia; and David (Amy) Sperry, North Carolina. Also surviving her are fourteen great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Blackburn, in 1969; her second husband, L. Burdette Anderson, in 2005; a brother, Floyd Dibble, in 1987; and a sister, Mildred Brossman, in 1992. She was also predeceased by several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Westfield on Friday, August 29, 2014 at 11 :00 AM, Pastor Thayne Bodenmiller, officiating; visitation one hour prior to service (10:00 AM). Burial will be private. Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church, 19 Union Street, Westfield NY, or to the Patterson Library, South Portage Street, Westfield NY. MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield NY is in charge of arrangements. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send Fran's family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information.