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Phyllis Jeaneanne Graham Anderson ’53

A picture of Phyllis Graham Anderson

Phyllis Jeaneanne Graham Anderson ’53, September 6, 2010, in Springdale, Arkansas. Phyllis thrived at Reed, where she earned a BA in psychology and theatre. Among her treasured memories were the fluent recitations of archaic French by Rex Arragon [history, 1923–62, 1970–74] and the lectures of Stanley Moore [philosophy, 1948–54]. At Reed she discovered the “sheer joy” of analyzing ideas and arriving at unpredicted conclusions in a humanities conference. She later wrote: “I recall with amazed gratitude my good fortune in having selected Reed for my undergraduate education. The scope of instruction and the depth of reading required remains my standard for quality education. One of the most valuable investments of time I have ever made.” Married in 1955 to air force officer Harold J. Anderson, she spent four years in Japan. At AOI Sound Studios, she acted in programs for the Armed Forces Radio Network, dubbed sound tracks, and narrated documentaries. She earned a master's degree in library science from Catholic University and a master's degree in gifted education from the University of Connecticut, and had a career as a school librarian and a talented and gifted education teacher. To her list of accomplishments, Phyllis would add owner and manager of a mountain resort, pipe organ musician, and cofounder and director of a community youth theatre. Phyllis also held a Federal Aviation Administration certificate, which enabled her to give ground instruction to prospective pilots. She was engaged in church and church mission activities throughout life, and was enthralled by a good murder mystery. She is survived by her husband, three sons, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a sister.

Appeared in Reed magazine: March 2011