There is a sweet lady who has been part of our congregation at Cheney's United Methodist Church since 1970, but now she's moved on to another beautiful place.
No, not heaven but close, according to former Cheney resident Mary Anderson. She is living in the beautiful Rocky Mountains near Ouray, Colo. with her daughter Gail Jossi and husband Dick.
Mary was born in Tyler, Wash., July 31, 1914 to Percy and Nora Moreland. She had two older brothers and two older sisters. Many of us remember her sister, Helen Countryman, who was very active in the Cheney UMC. Helen often affectionately referred to Mary as her baby sister.
At age 11, Mary's family moved to Lamont, Wash. It was there that she attended school and graduated from Lamont High School. Lamont remained her home for many years.
Mary worked as a ranch cook in the area and she also worked three years in the dietary department at Sacred Heart Hospital. In 1941 she married Mel Anderson and they farmed and raised their family in the Lamont area. Mel and Mary had two daughters, Gail - with whom Mary now lives in Ouray - and Ann. Mary has six grandchildren (one deceased) and six great-grandchildren ranging in age from 10 – 21.
Mel and Mary leased their ranch, located halfway between Lamont and St. John. Mary would cook for as many as 15 people, three meals a day in the summertime.
Sometimes she would have to pack full hot meals up, keeping them warm in roasters, and take them five miles to where the workers were harvesting grain. Always included in those meals were her famous pies and home-baked breads.
She also drove a truck at times. It took a lot of planning ahead, and she really appreciated her daughters' help, as they got older. Mary's famous fried chicken dinners were the all-time favorites of family and workers.
During her years in Lamont, Mary was active in the Lamont Community Church and taught Sunday school, was president of the Lamont Community Club and an officer in the Lamont Grange.
After retiring from farming, Mel and Mary moved to Cheney in 1969 where she lived until she moved to Colorado. The Andersons were invited to the Methodist Church by a neighbor and were soon active members.
Mary recalls being a Methodist early in life because she and her sister Helen were both baptized in a Methodist Church. Over the years, Mary has served as president of the "3 M's" (Methodist Merry Makers), participated in the "Night Outers" (a group that went to different restaurants each month) and worked at numerous rummage sales. She was also involved in "Birthday Gals/Bunch," UMW, Wedding Guild and the memorials committee.
Mary's activities certainly didn't stop at church. In Cheney, she has been very active in the Tillicum Club, which sponsors community-oriented projects. She was director of the Tillicum Historical Museum for four years.
Mary was also one of the directors of the Lance Hill Cemetery, a resting place for many of her ancestors. Eastern Star has also been an important part of Mary's life. She has been a member for more than 50 years and has held many positions. In recent years, Mary was also an active member in the Red Hat Society.
Mary attributes her good health and long life to years of swimming, walking and other exercise. Mary, you are incredible and we all want to grow up to be like you. We miss you immensely and love hearing from you.
Margie Lindner is a member of Cheney's United Methodist Church. She and three other Cheney residents attended Mary Anderson's 100th birthday party, July 31, 2014, in Ouray. Mary's husband Mel passed away in June 2001.
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