Deborah Susan Anderson
August 19, 1949 ~ November 28, 2023
Born in:
Seattle , Washington
Resided in:
Fremont, California
Deborah Susan Anderson, 74, of Union City passed away at home surrounded by family on November 28, 2023. A resident of Fremont for over 50 years, she had recently moved to a retirement community in Union City after a 20-month long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Deborah (“Debbie”) was born in 1949, in Seattle, Washington to Harold and Jessie Dolstad. Debbie grew up in the many parts of U.S. and Australia, including Ohio, Louisiana, California, Melbourne, and Sydney. She received a leaving certificate (Diploma) from Abbotsleigh Angelican School for Girls in Wahroonga, Australia. She later returned to the U.S. to earn an A.A. Degree from Monterey Peninsula College, a B.A. in history and lifetime teaching credential from San Jose State University.
She married William “Andy” Anderson in 1968 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Monterey, CA. Shortly after marriage they moved to San Jose to pursue work and continue education.
Debbie had been interested in teaching from an early age. She was a devoted educator with a love for kindergarten and early childhood education, for which she received an additional teaching certificate. She taught in the San Jose Unified School District and after moving to Fremont, became the founding director of Our Savior Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten. She went on to teach in the Fremont Unified School District where she had spent 20 of her 37 years in the teaching profession.
In retirement, Debbie had more time for golf, which she had started as a teenager, took up painting lessons and enjoyed traveling extensively. She was also involved in church activities and exercise classes.
Debbie is survived by her loving husband Andy, son Brian Anderson and his wife Joy, daughter Rebecca Anderson and partner Stephanie, and many cousins in Washington and Georgia.
Friends and family are invited to a memorial service Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 38451 Fremont Blvd., Fremont.
Donations on behalf of Debbie’s memorial may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org) or Compassion International.
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I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Debbie from the time we were college roommates! She was a precious light to all who knew her. Her amazing smile could light up a room! Her positive and friendly nature was appreciated by all who knew her. My deepest sympathies to her entire family.
Debbie was my youngest daughter’s teacher as well as my colleague at Gomes Elementary School. She created a wonderful environment for learning and we are grateful. My older daughter attended OSL preschool, though Debbie wasn’t her teacher, I could feel the creative hand and talents of a teacher that knew what children needed! She truly was a special lady and teacher.
I always appreciated Debbie’s candor and approachable personality. She always had a genuine smile and had interesting observations to share.
Sending Debbie’s loved ones hugs. 🫶
Debbie was a presence in our lives for 40+ years. She was a great friend, whose good cooking, festive entertaining and overall creative spirit were greatly appreciated. Most of all we’ll miss her kind heart and sense of humor. The world was a better place when she was in it.
I enjoyed getting to know Debbie over the years as we worked together at Gomes. To me she was always “the voice of reason” during faculty meetings as she came up with common sense answers to issues. At other times when we heard “She needs to pull on her big girl pants and deal with it!” we knew Debbie was close by. Her fun spirit, great laugh and helpful ways are definitely missed!
Our love and prayers are being sent to Andy, and the rest of the family!
Hello Anderson Family, Nothing I can say will make up for your loss. I wish you all much love, grace, and patience as you work towards a bright future. Much More Love! Patrick