Obituary of Edith Mae Anderson

Edith Mae Anderson passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at her home in Aptos surrounded by her family after a brief illness. She was 92. Edith was an only child, born December 3, 1923 to John and Nannie Mae Genik of San Joaquin, CA. She grew up and resided in San Joaquin for many years before relocating to Aptos in 1972. It is in San Joaquin that she met and married her husband, Leland. She and Leland were childhood friends, and she talked about fond memories of skipping in mud puddles and climbing trees with him as children. They were married in 1942 and had two daughters, Karen Graham Payne and Cheryl Johnson. She was preceded in death by Karen on March 30, 1989. Prior to moving to Aptos, her and her husband owned and operated a grocery store and drug store in San Joaquin. She spent her afternoons working at the soda fountain making sandwiches and serving up her homemade pies. Once she moved to Santa Cruz County she worked as a manager at the Blue Chip stamp store and also worked for the Santa Cruz County Recorder's Office. Above all she was a homemaker who loved her family fiercely with everything she had. The time she spent caring for three generations of family is by far her most memorable and treasured work. She will forever be remembered for the love and devotion she had for her family that showed through everything she did. In her spare time you could always find her sitting in her recliner watching the Giants ball game, the Food Network, doing a puzzle book, or playing with one of her 15 great grandchildren. Whatever she was doing, it was always with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. Edith is survived by her husband, Leland Anderson of Aptos; a daughter, Cheryl Johnson of Aptos; grandsons, Darrell and Kevin Graham, both of Madera; granddaughters, Nicole Miller of Bakersfield, Brandi Johnson of Poulsbo, WA, Rochelle Saxton of Aptos, Lisa Johnson of Aptos, and Jaime Santaella of Aptos; and 15 great-grandchildren. There are no services planned. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Church of Christ, 637 Pacheco Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95065.