Shrewsbury – Joehannah S. (Holden) Anderson, 79, of Shrewsbury, passed away on February 2, 2022 peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Joehannah was born in Worcester, MA, daughter of the late Francis and Mary (O’Rourke) Holden.
She is survived by her husband, best friend, and partner in life of sixty-one years Paul E. Anderson. She is the beloved mother of Colleen Johnson and her husband Gus of Chatham, MA, Paula Carey and her husband David of Shrewsbury, MA, Karen Chamberlain and her husband Joseph of Millbury, MA, and Kevin Anderson and his fiancée Dr. Sarah Cardullo of Holden, MA; sister of Mary-Esther Hannan and her husband Edward of NC; sister-in-law of Marlene and Paul Antalek of Shrewsbury and William and Janice Crosbie of Auburn MA. Affectionately known as “Joe-Nana” she leaves behind 10 grandchildren, one great grandson and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Joehannah was predeceased by her beloved son Timothy M. Anderson and brother Thomas Holden.
Joehannah graduated from Ascension High School in Worcester and has remained close over the decades with her remaining classmates and coordinated their reunions. After raising her family Joehannah worked for several Worcester companies, including Merrill Lynch and CentralNew England Warehouse, where she worked for many years and retired seven years ago.
A wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, she will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She enjoyed creating unique and gorgeous quilts that will be cherished by those fortunate to receive them as individual, personalized gifts. A sign hung on the wall in her home reads, “Beds without a quilt is like a sky without stars”. She loved taking family photos of holidays, celebrations, and special events and documenting them all in countless scrap books. Another favorite hobby for her was to crochet baby blankets, donating them to local hospitals for premature babies.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours at the Chiampa Funeral Home, 5 Church Road, on the Common, Shrewsbury Center, on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. A funeral mass follows at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury. To ensure the safety for all, face covering is kindly requested.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joehannah’s honor to the St. Anne’s Food Pantry, Shrewsbury.
