1937
Mary
2020
Mary Elizabeth Anderson
August 15, 1937 — April 1, 2020
Mary Elizabeth Anderson, 82, of Fishers, Indiana passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Mary was born August 15, 1937 in St. Paul, Minnesota to George Barbato and Bonita Loomis Barbato.
Mary is survived by her husband, Robert Anderson; two children, Scott Anderson (Karen) and Craig Anderson (Amanda); 4 grandchildren, Caroline, Reed, Kristen and Luke; brother George; sisters Susan and Debbie.
Mary was the first female for Northwest Orient Airlines (today Delta) to work the ticket counter at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport in the 1950s, which ultimately led to other responsibilities that had her traveling the world. As exciting were her adventures with the airlines, Mary’s real passion was to tirelessly serve those Mary saw as being underserved. For decades, Mary devoted 60+ hours weekly to volunteering:
Public Action to Deliver Shelter – helped to found PADS in NW Cook County, and spent 16 years serving the homeless
Holy Family Ministries – spent 17 years volunteering to help underserved Chicago students grow academically and spiritually
Lutheran Advocacy Network – advocated for the poor and powerless for the state of Illinois
Crop Walk – 24 years helping to organize the Barrington event, honorary grand marshal in 2009
Volunteer Center of Greater Barrington – part of founding team. Helped to lead “Hope Alive”: trips to the Cabrini Green public housing in Chicago to rehab the public housing units.
For many years drove children from inner city Chicago to visit their incarcerated moms
Church Women United of Barrington – 25+ years in various leadership roles. Began an ongoing project that provided supplies to low income students.
Clown Ministry – for 26 years utilized her character of “Neighbor” to minister across a multitude of civic and charitable events
Mary received recognition over her life of service that included Barrington Area Development Council’s 1991 Citizen of the Year, Barrington Area Senior Citizen Hall of Fame (1999), Church Women United’s Valiant Woman (1999), Paul Harris Fellow by the Barrington Rotary Club (2000), Unsung Heroine Award by the Cook County Board of Commissioners (2002), Illinois Points of Light Award by Illinois Governor George Ryan (2002), and the Wings of Gold Award by Holy Family Ministries (2009).
A memorial service will be streamed on April 15th at 7PM Eastern / 6PM Central.
You may request access to attend the service by sending an email to marybarbatoanderson@icloud.com.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Holy Family School in Chicago, where Mary was a beloved volunteer to the children for many years. Please make checks payable to Holy Family Ministries and send to:
Holy Family Ministries
c/o HFM Development Office
3225 Arnold Lane
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
or donate online at www.hfm.org
Mary is survived by her husband, Robert Anderson; two children, Scott Anderson (Karen) and Craig Anderson (Amanda); 4 grandchildren, Caroline, Reed, Kristen and Luke; brother George; sisters Susan and Debbie.
Mary was the first female for Northwest Orient Airlines (today Delta) to work the ticket counter at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport in the 1950s, which ultimately led to other responsibilities that had her traveling the world. As exciting were her adventures with the airlines, Mary’s real passion was to tirelessly serve those Mary saw as being underserved. For decades, Mary devoted 60+ hours weekly to volunteering:
Public Action to Deliver Shelter – helped to found PADS in NW Cook County, and spent 16 years serving the homeless
Holy Family Ministries – spent 17 years volunteering to help underserved Chicago students grow academically and spiritually
Lutheran Advocacy Network – advocated for the poor and powerless for the state of Illinois
Crop Walk – 24 years helping to organize the Barrington event, honorary grand marshal in 2009
Volunteer Center of Greater Barrington – part of founding team. Helped to lead “Hope Alive”: trips to the Cabrini Green public housing in Chicago to rehab the public housing units.
For many years drove children from inner city Chicago to visit their incarcerated moms
Church Women United of Barrington – 25+ years in various leadership roles. Began an ongoing project that provided supplies to low income students.
Clown Ministry – for 26 years utilized her character of “Neighbor” to minister across a multitude of civic and charitable events
Mary received recognition over her life of service that included Barrington Area Development Council’s 1991 Citizen of the Year, Barrington Area Senior Citizen Hall of Fame (1999), Church Women United’s Valiant Woman (1999), Paul Harris Fellow by the Barrington Rotary Club (2000), Unsung Heroine Award by the Cook County Board of Commissioners (2002), Illinois Points of Light Award by Illinois Governor George Ryan (2002), and the Wings of Gold Award by Holy Family Ministries (2009).
A memorial service will be streamed on April 15th at 7PM Eastern / 6PM Central.
You may request access to attend the service by sending an email to marybarbatoanderson@icloud.com.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Holy Family School in Chicago, where Mary was a beloved volunteer to the children for many years. Please make checks payable to Holy Family Ministries and send to:
Holy Family Ministries
c/o HFM Development Office
3225 Arnold Lane
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
or donate online at www.hfm.org
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Elizabeth Anderson, please visit our flower store.
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