PORT CLYDE – Verena D. Anderson, 97, died peacefully, and unexpectedly, Sunday, July 9, 2017, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born in Saint George, October 1, 1919, she was the daughter of Forrest L. and Fannie H. Munro Davis.

Born and raised in Port Clyde, Mrs. Anderson lived most of her life in the house in which she was born. Educated locally, she was a 1938 graduate of Saint George High School. Following graduation, Verena married Douglas E. Anderson whom she had met while he was making milk deliveries to Port Clyde.

In the early days of their marriage, along with the first of three sons, the couple moved to Massachusetts where Mr. Anderson was employed as a machinist. They lived in Massachusetts for two years, but with Verena longing for her home town, they returned to Port Clyde.

Once home in Port Clyde, Doug and Verena purchased the family home where she was born and here they welcomed two more sons into their family.

A hard worker her entire life, Verena worked diligently at the local fish factory to assist in supporting her family. She always said she wanted to make sure her sons had everything they needed and encouraged all of them to pursue a musical instrument.

She was extremely supportive of her children's activities, especially when it came to the band. They remember their mother always making sure they got to wherever the band was playing. She had a great love of music and was an accomplished, trained vocalist.

For many years she sang with the Down East Singers and with the church choir and as a soloist. She was a talented organist and ukulele player.

Verena was a faithful member of the Port Clyde Advent Christian Church where she was a Deaconess and served as a Sunday School Teacher for 52 years. Her family remembers she never missed a Sunday, even traveling home to Port Clyde early after family gatherings to be home in time for church.

Never one to be idle, Verena always had a project going. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and baking, making homemade bread up until last year. She made quilts for all of her family and friends, giving them as gifts for many births and weddings. During the winter she kept busy making stacks of pot holders.

Earlier in life, she made wedding cakes for many family members and friends.

During the 1960s, Verena spent a number of years serving as stern-woman for her husband. They loved working together on the ocean.

Verena and Doug enjoyed traveling, spending winters in Florida, going to the Moosehead Region, and even visiting Europe, to the Munro Castle and the hometown of her ancestors.

Verena's touch stretches both far and wide and through multiple generations. She was known for her knowledge and memory of local history and enjoyed yearly visits from 'summer folks', who would stop by with questions about her beloved Port Clyde or just for a chat. Over the years these visitors changed as new generations made their way to her door.

Her passing marks the end of an era, and she will be sadly missed.

Predeceased by her husband Douglas E. Anderson, Sr. in 2013; a son, Ronnie Anderson in 1994; a sister Agnes Young; and a brother Chester M. Davis; Verena is survived by her sons, Larry Anderson and his wife, Gail, of Sun Lakes, Arizona; Douglas E. Anderson, Jr. and his wife, Rhonda, of Bonita Springs, Florida; a brother Kenneth L. Davis, of Scarborough; her grandchildren, Angela Anderson Pomerleau and her husband, Joseph; Valerie Garrigan and her husband, Mike, Holly Trottier and her husband, Peter, Kirsten Clough and her husband, David, Christopher Anderson and his wife, Becki; her great-grandchildren Caleigh Pollard, Harry Pollard, IV, Sara Trottier, Casandra, Kyle and Joshua Clough, Douglas C. Anderson, Abbie, Maddie, Hallie Anderson; a great-great-granddaughter, Lena Young; step-grandchildren, John-Michael Schroder, Suzanne C. Schroder; many nieces and nephews, as well as her beloved church family.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at Port Clyde Christian Church, where a celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at South Parish Cemetery (Ridge) Martinsville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George Fire Fighters and Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME 04860.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. To share a memory or condolence with the Anderson family, please visit their Book of Memoires at www.bchfh.com.