1938
Bernice
2013
Bernice M. (Hood) Anderson
November 13, 1938 — June 17, 2013
Biography
RUTLAND – Bernice M. Anderson, 74, of Pleasantdale Road, died peacefully with her loving family by her side, on Monday, June 17, 2013, at her home. She was born in Spencer, the daughter of Thomas and Rene (Sweet) Hood and lived 53 years in Rutland.
Bernice graduated from Commerce High School in Worcester and attended Worcester State College. Professionally she owned, operated and published the Country Corner News and the Rutland Spy newspapers and was a reporter with the Worcester Telegram & Gazette for 15 years and several more years for the Barre Gazette. She also owned and operated a ceramic studio in Rutland for several years called “The Calico Stop”.
Bernice was a member of the Rutland Historical Commission, Rutland Historic Society, Rutland Grange, Holden Gardening Club, the Red Hatters, the First Congregational Church in Rutland and was a former leader with the 4-H in Rutland. She also served on the Rutland 250th Committee where she raised donations for town celebrations through fashion shows and several Indian “Pow Wows.”
As an active volunteer in the community, Bernice was a member of the Rutland Council on Aging, served on boards for both the Elder Services in the Worcester Area and for the WRTA. She embraced her community and served on the Board of Assessors, the Board of Sweet Pea Friends of Rutland Animals and for over 20 years she videotaped community events and selectman’s meetings to air on the local cable network. She took great pride in being accurate when researching historic data and reporting on facts. In 2000, after several years of historical research, Bernice completed and had published “Images of America – Rutland” which through iconic images brings to life the people, places, and events that define the community of Rutland.
In the 1970’s, she was passionately involved in Revolutionary War reenactments and traveled throughout the Northeast with family members and upwards of 35 children from the community reenacting major battles as “Hessian Mercenaries” for whom she designed and sewed their outfits. This was her way of giving back to the community and giving structure to kids in need of something constructive to do. In her spare time you would find her in the gardens of her home, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, and researching town politics. She was also an artist who had her charcoal and chalk drawing displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Bernice was always willing to help those less fortunate and will be remembered for her tenacity when fighting for the underdog. For years, she would take teenagers and children into her home that needed a stable, loving and nurturing environment. Today as adults, they are still very much part of the Anderson family.
She leaves her husband of 48 years, Ralph H. Anderson, Jr., former Rutland Police Chief; her children, Kathleen D. Cousineau of Rutland, Todd H. Anderson, Sr. and his wife Christine of Rutland and Lawrence Wynja and his wife Jeana of Florida; her sister, Jeene Collins of Worcester; her brother Robin Hood; and her 5 grandchildren, Mason, Ashley, Toddie, Nate, and Duncan; along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 2 brothers, Ivan Hood and William Laythe; and 2 sisters, Virginia Eaton and Ilona Hood.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 20 at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A funeral service celebrating Bernice’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 21, in the First Congregational Church of Rutland, 264 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Rutland. Interment will follow at Rural Cemetery, 142 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Rutland.
Memorial donations may be made to the Delia Anderson Trust Fund, 250 Main Street, Rutland, MA 01543. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please "Sign the Guestbook" on this page.
Calling Hours
Thursday
June 20, 2013
,
5 p.m.
- 8 p.m.
at
Miles Funeral Home
Click for Map and Directions
Funeral Service and Celebration of Bernice's Life
Friday
June 21, 2013
,
11 a.m.
at
First Congregational Church of Rutland
Click for Map and Directions
Interment
Friday
June 21, 2013
,
12:30 p.m.
at
Rural Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
RUTLAND – Bernice M. Anderson, 74, of Pleasantdale Road, died peacefully with her loving family by her side, on Monday, June 17, 2013, at her home. She was born in Spencer, the daughter of Thomas and Rene (Sweet) Hood and lived 53 years in Rutland.
Bernice graduated from Commerce High School in Worcester and attended Worcester State College. Professionally she owned, operated and published the Country Corner News and the Rutland Spy newspapers and was a reporter with the Worcester Telegram & Gazette for 15 years and several more years for the Barre Gazette. She also owned and operated a ceramic studio in Rutland for several years called “The Calico Stop”.
Bernice was a member of the Rutland Historical Commission, Rutland Historic Society, Rutland Grange, Holden Gardening Club, the Red Hatters, the First Congregational Church in Rutland and was a former leader with the 4-H in Rutland. She also served on the Rutland 250th Committee where she raised donations for town celebrations through fashion shows and several Indian “Pow Wows.”
As an active volunteer in the community, Bernice was a member of the Rutland Council on Aging, served on boards for both the Elder Services in the Worcester Area and for the WRTA. She embraced her community and served on the Board of Assessors, the Board of Sweet Pea Friends of Rutland Animals and for over 20 years she videotaped community events and selectman’s meetings to air on the local cable network. She took great pride in being accurate when researching historic data and reporting on facts. In 2000, after several years of historical research, Bernice completed and had published “Images of America – Rutland” which through iconic images brings to life the people, places, and events that define the community of Rutland.
In the 1970’s, she was passionately involved in Revolutionary War reenactments and traveled throughout the Northeast with family members and upwards of 35 children from the community reenacting major battles as “Hessian Mercenaries” for whom she designed and sewed their outfits. This was her way of giving back to the community and giving structure to kids in need of something constructive to do. In her spare time you would find her in the gardens of her home, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, and researching town politics. She was also an artist who had her charcoal and chalk drawing displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Bernice was always willing to help those less fortunate and will be remembered for her tenacity when fighting for the underdog. For years, she would take teenagers and children into her home that needed a stable, loving and nurturing environment. Today as adults, they are still very much part of the Anderson family.
She leaves her husband of 48 years, Ralph H. Anderson, Jr., former Rutland Police Chief; her children, Kathleen D. Cousineau of Rutland, Todd H. Anderson, Sr. and his wife Christine of Rutland and Lawrence Wynja and his wife Jeana of Florida; her sister, Jeene Collins of Worcester; her brother Robin Hood; and her 5 grandchildren, Mason, Ashley, Toddie, Nate, and Duncan; along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 2 brothers, Ivan Hood and William Laythe; and 2 sisters, Virginia Eaton and Ilona Hood.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 20 at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A funeral service celebrating Bernice’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 21, in the First Congregational Church of Rutland, 264 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Rutland. Interment will follow at Rural Cemetery, 142 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Rutland.
Memorial donations may be made to the Delia Anderson Trust Fund, 250 Main Street, Rutland, MA 01543. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please "Sign the Guestbook" on this page.
Calling Hours
Thursday
June 20, 2013
,
5 p.m.
- 8 p.m.
at
Miles Funeral Home
Click for Map and Directions
Funeral Service and Celebration of Bernice's Life
Friday
June 21, 2013
,
11 a.m.
at
First Congregational Church of Rutland
Click for Map and Directions
Interment
Friday
June 21, 2013
,
12:30 p.m.
at
Rural Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernice M. (Hood) Anderson, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors