Mary A. Anderson

BESSEMER, Mich. - Mary A. Anderson, 94, a longtime resident of Bessemer, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Mary was born on April 7, 1925, in Bessemer, a daughter of John and Margaret (Rajkovich) Gerovac. She attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer and graduated in 1943. Following graduation, Mary went to Detroit and worked at a defense plant from 1943 to 1945.

She worked at the Divine Infant Hospital in Wakefield in the central supply department until it closed.

On March 9, 1946, Mary was united in marriage to Leslie E. Anderson in Catavi, Bolivia, South America, where he was employed as a tin mining underground engineer. They resided in South America for two years and then returned to Bessemer for their remaining years.

Mary and Les did a great deal of traveling and spent many winters living at their second home in Green Valley, Ariz.

Her hobbies were Bridge playing, Smear, sewing, crocheting, painting figurines, knitting, downhill skiing and reading.

Mary was a faithful member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer and a supporting member of the Ladies Guild, where she was an officer and participated in many projects while the new school and church were being built. She spent countless hours volunteering making pasties.

Mary is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Les, on April 8, 1988; three brothers, Emil and Steve, and John, who was killed in the Philippines during World War II; and a sister, Ann West, of Indiana.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 13, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church with the Rev. Binu Joseph, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer.

Upon returning from the cemetery, a luncheon will be served at the church hall.

Expressions of affection in a charitable contribution in Mary's memory are suggested in lieu of flowers to St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 210 E. Iron St., Bessemer, MI 49911.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.