Phoebe Caroline (Dare) Anderson

MELROSE – Phoebe Dare Anderson, 105, died Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at her residence after a brief illness. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was the daughter of the late Carl F. and Phoebe (née Helmerich) Dare.

Mrs. Anderson was a member of Brooklyn College’s inaugural class of 1934 and earned an M.A. in History from Columbia University in 1936. She began her career teaching at the Horace Mann School in New York City. In her first year, she was recruited by Miss Eliza Kellas, then headmistress of Emma Willard School, to move to Troy and introduce an innovative penmanship program into the school’s elementary division. Although she concluded at Emma Willard in 1943, she continued to enjoy life-long correspondence with former students, always in her distinct and recognizable hand.

During World War II, she volunteered for the American Red Cross helping locate prisoners of war.

In 1941 she married Sven Axel Anderson, a Professor of economics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; they moved to Melrose in 1943. Their daughter, Phoebe, was born in 1947. Following her husband’s death in 1955, Mrs. Anderson joined the Lansingburgh school system, teaching 5th grade at the Haskell School, and later directing the Lansingburgh Resource Center, where she managed one of the largest federally funded Title I reading programs in New York State. She was resolved that no student’s personal circumstances would preclude access to excellent instruction. She retired in 1984.

Mrs. Anderson served as President of the Junior League of Troy and was its oldest and longest tenured member. She was President of the Van Rensselaer Garden Club (1994-96). She was a volunteer for the Rensselaer County Historical Society, Vanderheyden Hall, and the Troy Chromatics Concerts, and was instrumental in founding the Lansingburgh Junior Museum. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church since first moving to Troy. 

She was an active gardener and bridge player. At the age of 102, she enjoyed playing Chinese checkers with her aides; Katie, Sue, Kim, Sherry and Velma. 

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Phoebe Anderson McCarthy, on December 13, 2017. She is survived by a son-in-law, Stephen J. McCarthy, of Lincoln, Mass., and her grandson, the Rev. Stephen J. McCarthy, Jr., of Oxford, England.

The funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 AM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, State and Third Streets, Troy with her grandson officiating.  A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Phoebe Dare Anderson to St. Paul's Episcopal Church PO Box 868 Troy, NY 12181 or the Rensselaer County Historical Society 57 Second Street Troy, NY 12180. 

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