Mary B. Anderson, a longtime resident of the Pomona/Claremont area, died on May 14, 2012 at Collwood Nursing home in San Diego. She was 87.

The youngest of 5 children, Mrs. Anderson was born in Pomona on July 27, 1924 to Ella Gertrude and Oscar Orlando Beauchamp. Her father was a typesetter for the Pomona Progress Bulletin (now the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin). She graduated from Pomona High School and was proud to have lived in the Pomona/Claremont area for most of her life.

During her working years, Mrs. Anderson held a number of jobs. For various lengths of time, she was employed by the May Department Stores Company (May Co.), Fairbanks Morse, United California Bank (UCB), Inland Bank and Bank of California. While at UCB, she served 2 terms as chapter president for the American Institute of Banking. With her entrepreneurial spirit, Mrs. Anderson also operated her own business, Anderson Escrow, on Harvard Avenue in the Claremont Village.

Mrs. Anderson met her future husband, Clarke “Andy”Anderson, through mutual friends. Married for 32 years, they enjoyed a great life together, which included lots of quality time with their children and an abundance of extended family members. A wonderful cook, baker and hostess, Mrs. Anderson held many parties and events at their home on Williams Avenue in Claremont. The later years also found her planning festive gatherings at their retirement home, which overlooked the third hole at the Palm Desert Country Club. 

“Whenever we visited Grandma Mary in Palm Desert, she’d always ask, ‘What should we do for dinner? What should we do for breakfast?’ And we always loved to eat at ‘Mary’s Place’ and have her home cooking,” said her granddaughter, Shannon Scott.

Mrs. Anderson’s pride and joy was preparing holiday meals for her family in celebration of Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day and other holidays. Ms. Scott, having obtained her grandmother’s recipe for corned beef and cabbage, hopes to carry on the annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition.

Mrs. Anderson’s daughter, Caren Whiteside, cherishes warm memories of her mother’s meals, and the family togetherness that surrounded them.

“My mother was a wonderful cook, and any and all holidays at her home were something special,” said Ms. Whiteside. “You would come in, and the table would be beautifully set, and she always made sure she had everyone’s favorite dish on the table. There was always a lot of laughter around those tables. This is what I will miss most.”

Having been raised by parents that grew up in Texas, Mrs. Anderson particularly enjoyed Tex-Mex food. Putting tender care into everything she made for friends and family, she even had a special touch with the coffee she made daily.

Also a talented seamstress, Mrs. Anderson made prom gowns for her granddaughters who all attended Claremont High School.

“Mary was a wonderful homemaker, kudos to her for all her talents,” said her grandson-in-law, Randy Scott.

Passionate about theater and whole-heartedly devoted to her grandchildren and their endeavors, Mrs. Anderson didn’t miss a performance of her granddaughter, Rebecca Whiteside, as she took to the stage in numerous plays and singing productions. 

Mrs. Anderson enjoyed making wonderful memories with her husband as they traveled together to Alaska, British Columbia, New York City and elsewhere. They also cherished relaxing and having fun at their beach house in Oceanside.

Upon Mr. Anderson’s death in 2005, Mrs. Anderson moved back to Claremont to live closer to her daughter, Caren Whiteside, her granddaughter, Shannon Scott, and her great-grandson, Clayton Scott. During this time, she delighted in attending Clayton’s Little League baseball games.

“She was always there for us,” said Ms. Scott. “She never said no to anything. She was really active with our family.”

Throughout her life, Mrs. Anderson’s favorite moments were the ones she spent with family. She also enjoyed golf, various activities and people at the Claremont Senior Center and going to the movies.

Mrs. Anderson is survived by her daughter, Caren Whiteside, and her partner Larry Webster; her daughter, Cathleen Stanton; her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Terri Pocock; granddaughters, Heather Griffo and her husband Paul, Shannon Scott and her husband Randy, Rebecca Whiteside and Erin Stapleton; her grandsons, Christopher and Kyle Pocock; her great-grandchildren, Matt Scott and Clayton Scott, Tiffany and Fred Muscarella, Brooke Cummins and Daniel, Laura and Tess Griffo; her great-great-grandson, Carter Muscarella; her stepsons, Eric Anderson, Kirk Anderson and Craig Anderson; and her stepdaughter, Heidi Moody. She was preceded in death by her husband, Andy Anderson; her sisters, Bess and Nan; and her brothers, Rex and Louis.

A small, private family gathering in honor of Mrs. Anderson will take place in June.