Helen H. Anderson, 87, formerly with Pine Knoll Shores, died late Tuesday, August 31, 2021 in Athens, Ohio.
A memorial service will be scheduled at Pine Knoll Shores and will be announced at a later date
Her death was sudden and unexpected, leaving family and friends deeply saddened at the loss of a loving and remarkable woman. She will be very missed in many ways by all those who have sensed and known her warm, generous, and unique spirit.
She was born on June 11, 1934 in Kingwood, WV, to the late Francis Hess and Helen Carol Hess. Upon graduation from Kingwood High School, Helen was nominated and awarded a full scholarship to Fairmont State College. After her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, she moved to Pittsburgh and taught full-time at Davidson Elementary. In 1958, Helen met and married the love of her life, the late John O. Anderson, and the two remained married until his death in 2002. While in Pittsburgh, she owned and operated the Helen Anderson Needle Design Studio (HANDS), a cross stitch and needle stitch project supplier and an outlet for her longstanding passion for quilting and needlework.
Helen and her husband retired to Pine Knoll Shores, NC, where she has made a remarkable and impactful presence in several community groups. After joining the philanthropic women’s education organization PEO in Pittsburgh, she expanded her involvement to chapters in Morehead City and eventually Athens. As a certified quilting teacher at Carteret Community College in Morehead City, she has led many workshops and courses across the area. Helen was a member of the Pine Knoll Shores Women’s Club, several local book clubs, and the All Saints Anglican Church of Newport, NC, where she served in the church choir. Her love for singing nourished her not only during weekly church services, but also through community appearances as a member of the Crystal Coast Choral Society, which took her and her voice to prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Helen leaves behind two daughters, Judith Anderson of Pittsburgh, PA, and Jennifer (Lewis) Siegel of Virginia Beach, VA; two sons, Jeffrey (Angela) Anderson from Athens and John (Audrey) Anderson from Murraysville, PA; five grandchildren, Ian Anderson, Reed Anderson, Hannah (Kollin) Gilkey, Ryan Siegel, and Jackie Siegel; three great-grandchildren, Alexander Anderson, Julia Anderson, and Raelyn Grace Gilkey; and a sister, Estella Dunham of Huntsville, AL.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband John O. Anderson; two sisters, Virginia O’Neil and Mary Alice Raines; and a brother, Frank Hess.
Helen is missed very much, but her family and friends are very grateful for the immense joy, laughter and love she has shared all of her life. The innumerable wonderful memories will always be remembered and their presence will always be felt in our hearts.
Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the PEO Scholarship Fund under the care of Karen Askew, 551 Egret Lake Drive, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512. Please share a reminder, a letter of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome. com.
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