Annmarie Anderson, 84, of Dartmouth, died on May 2, 2019.

She was the daughter of the late Einar and Katie Anderson of New Bedford; sister of the late Edward E. Anderson (Joan Cavanaugh) of Mystic, CT, Albert F. Anderson (Joan) of New Bedford, MA, and Kathleen Adams of Washington, DC; cousin of Signe Gardner of Thomaston, Maine; aunt and great-aunt to dozens of nieces and nephews; friend since Kindergarten at Holy Name School to Dot Sullivan of Weathersfield, CT, and Barbara Johnson of Bethany, CT, as well as many others. Ann lived with joy and purpose, undiminished by pain and disability.

A car accident in October 1960 changed the course of her life.

Annmarie had a passion for dancing and horseback riding, and was an accomplished golfer. She turned her energy to painting and crewel work, and was happiest in Spring when she could once again get her hands in the earth. She sang for ten years with the choir at St. Julie’s Church in Dartmouth, was a musician herself until her accident, and always found solace and delight in listening to music of many genres.

She loved animals with fierce devotion, contributed to many charities for abused, feral, and endangered species, and had many cats and dogs as beloved companions over the years. Ann adored flowers and often drove slowly about town admiring blossoming trees and gardens of flowers. She smiled and laughed often, her blue eyes merry and sparkling. Ann was always interested in others, striking up conversation easily. She had many friends and acquaintances who maintained contact for decades, some through correspondence alone.

In spite of destructive injuries and numerous surgeries to her right leg which left her in lifelong pain, Annmarie graduated from nursing school and worked as a pediatric nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford for nine years, a job she loved, as it enabled her to connect with and care for children.

A communicant at St. Julie Billiart Church, Annmarie’s Catholic faith was a refuge and support throughout her life.

She was unmarried but was a loving aunt and great-aunt.

Family members knew and loved her deeply, sharing a sustaining friendship over the years, warmth and mirth at family reunions, as well as time spent together at the family’s cottage in Maine.

Built by her father, Ann called this place heaven on Earth. It was there, during what would be her last visit in August of 2018, that Annmarie last enjoyed steamed clams from the St. George’s River, served to her with great love and respect. At that time, Colin Durghy, her eight year old great nephew, picked up the tune to the song of her soul. “You should all really pay more attention to her,” he told his mother, Laura, emphatically. “She is a VERY fine person.”

Her funeral mass will be May 13, 10 a.m. at St. Julie Billiart Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford, on Monday from 8:30-9:30 AM. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.