Deceased January 9, 2022
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In Memory
James Anderson died unexpectedly in Skillman, N.J., on Jan. 9.
At Amherst, Jim engaged in American studies, writing an award-winning thesis on the evolution of the hero in American literature. He was an avid singer in Glee Club and church choir, the latter of which he continued throughout his life. He also met Sally Whittaker (Mount Holyoke ’59) on a blind date that became 63 years of marriage. They moved to a fourth-floor, one-bedroom walkup in Boston, where Jim attended Harvard Law School, then to Simsbury, Conn., where they raised Beth (middle name Hadley, Mount Holyoke ’82), Stewart ’84 and David ’92. After his career at Connecticut General / Cigna, Sally and Jim retired to a hilltop in Pawlet, Vt., where they lived for 23 years. Jim named their home Solla Sollew, “where they never have troubles, at least very few.” The Pawlet house was an idyllic family retreat that provided many special memories for Jim, Sally and the growing families of their children.
This time also allowed Jim to focus on his loves—volunteering at church, Pawlet school board, pro bono legal services and walking (or snowshoeing!) in the woods with his beloved yellow labs, Abby and then Andy. Jim sang in barbershop quartets, church choir and community musicals. He also had passions for nature, theology, politics, sports and enjoying time with Sally, friends and family.
Jim and Sally moved to Vero Beach, Fla., in 2013. There he was active at church and enjoyed family visits, tennis and twice-daily beach walks. Eventually, it became important to live near their children, so Jim and Sally returned to their New Jersey roots.
Jim’s was a life of Terras Irradient, striving to share kindness and knowledge wherever he went. His family and his many friends will miss him dearly.
—Sally Anderson, Beth Anderson Coogan, David Anderson ’92 and Stewart Anderson ’84