Obituaries: Lois Griscom Anderson
November 14, 2013
Lois Griscom Anderson, age 94, passed away peacefully at home on November 10, 2013. She was born in Somerville, NJ, the youngest child of Minor and Anna Huff Griscom.
Her passion for the piano led her to study with Dr. Westlake, a piano master at Carnegie Hall. She later played in recitals at the Hall. By age 16, Lois began her career of teaching private piano lessons for the next 75 years. Later, she also became a choir director and church organist.
Her niece, Marie Anderson McCarthy, summed up Lois with these words: “A loving, inspirational presence in our family for 94 years, and a role model for us…concert pianist, improvisational talent, accompanist extraordinaire, gifted and supportive teacher. Above all, a true believer; she kept the faith.”
Lois recorded 40 hymns in a CD Collection and was a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers).
Through her mother Anna, an active journalist for the Courier News in New Jersey, Lois developed an interest in current events. “The depth and breadth of her compassion and innate sensibility to anyone and anything around her was remarkable”, said a longtime friend and journalist.
Lois graduated from National Bible Institute in New York, a city she thoroughly enjoyed. While there, she met a tall, handsome student minister who invited her to play the piano at one of his services. They fell in love and James W. Anderson became her husband soon after.
They became partners in many ministries throughout their lives in the New York area.
Together they established Jubilee Youth Ministries in Brooklyn; an inspirational television program called “Life’s Lighthouse”; and Jubilee Ranch in Port Jervis, NY, which provided camping experiences for thousands of inner-city youth. They also served in many churches in the NY Metropolitan Area, the most recent one being The Church of the Master (a member of the Reformed Church of America).
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. James W. Anderson and her daughter, Mary Beth Anderson, formerly of Nashville.
Survivors include: Daughter, Lynn Anderson Gage and husband Jerry Gage both of Cornwall-On-Hudson: Daughter, Carol Grace Anderson and husband Coleman Murphy, both of Nashville, TN: Son, James Anderson, Jr. and wife Barbara Rick, both of New York City: Granddaughter: Jackie Gage Blea and husband Vince Blea of Avon CT; Grandson: Jay Gage and wife Kimberly Peet Gage, both of Balmville, NY: Grandson: Rory Anderson Gage, of Brooklyn, NY, and seven great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Cornwall United Methodist Church, 196 Main Street, Cornwall, NY 12518.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution to the Cornwall United Methodist Church Appalachian Service Project (ASP) in memory of Lois Anderson.
Comments:
No comments have been posted.
Add a Comment:
Please signup or login to add a comment.
|
