OBITUARY: Mary Frances (Ohanneson) Anderson

Mary "Bebe" (Ohanneson) Anderson, 88, passed away on Dec. 30, 2019, surrounded by family at the Hoffmann Hospice House in Bakersfield. Mary was born on Aug. 23, 1931, in Woodland, Calif., to Philip and Phyllis Ohanneson. The family moved to Shafter in 1934.

Mary attended schools in Shafter and graduated from Shafter High School in 1950. She was named Queen of the Shafter Potato Festival that same year. Mary also attended Pacific University in Stockton. In 1951, she married Dave Anderson, her high school sweetheart. Dave and Mary were the first couple to be married at the Shafter Congregational Church. She and Dave moved quite a bit while he was in the Army. They lived in Pacific Grove, Maryland and Germany before settling down in Shafter.

Mary loved, cherished and was devoted to her family, making us all feel special and loved. She absolutely loved being 'Nonnie" to all her grandchildren. Mom's family nickname was "the Energizer-Bunny," and it was truly hard to keep up with her. She had a unique ability to make people feel welcome and comfortable. No matter who, where or when, she was always helping and supporting her family, friends, and community.

She was the greatest advocator. She spent countless hours cheering on her family and friends at presentations, graduations, musical performances and sporting events.

Mary volunteered for Shafter organizations such as the PTA, Camp Fire Girls and 4H. She and Dave co-owned the Shafter Sports Center for many years. She was a member of The Shafter Women's Club and continued even after moving to Bakersfield in 2018. She had a special passion for Shafter history and was a member and volunteered with the Shafter Depot Museum, as well as the Historic Green Hotel. Mary was a lifelong member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, serving on the Alter Guild, teaching Sunday School and serving on the board.

Mom was extremely proud of her Armenian and British heritage. She was remarkably creative and artistic. Mom devoted herself entirely to her large family, who miss her desperately.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Anderson; her daughter, Julie Anderson; her brother and sister-in-law, John and Jean Ohanneson; and her brother, David Ohanneson.

She is survived by her children, Kathleen and Robert Molina of Fresno; Michael and Carole Anderson of Bakersfield; and Dr. Jennifer Senchea and Mike Eye of St. Cloud, Minn.; her daughter-in-law Judy Anderson of Morro Bay; her grandchildren, Leslie Bell of Bakersfield, Joe and April Evans of Horse Cave, Ky., Staff Sergeant Nathan Anderson of Fort Shafter, Hawaii; Katie Senchea, St. Cloud, Minn.; Bill Eye of St. Cloud; Kayley Eye of Fargo, N.D.; and Krissy and Chad Kolpacoff of Elk Grove, Calif.; her great-grandchildren, Emily Chacon and husband Adolfo Cortez of Bakersfield; Andy Chacon and fiancé Megan Cullor of Bakersfield; Mica Vega of Bakersfield; Madi Bell of Bakersfield; Sidney Evans of Ridgecrest; and Connor and Colton Kolpacoff of Elk Grove, Calif.; and her great-great-grandsons, Mason Chacon and Brayd'n Cortez.

She also is survived by her nieces, Janie Ohanneson, John and Cheryl Meyer Ohanneson, who played a very significant part in her life and she looked upon them as daughters. She is also survived and loved by many nieces and nephews and many close and lifelong friends, including her Shafter High Lunch Bunch.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Shafter Congregational Church, starting at 3 pm. A dinner will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Shafter Historical Society (Shafter Depot Museum) or to the Dave Anderson Athletic Scholarship Fund. Checks can be written to "Kern Community Foundation" with "Shafter Historical Society (Shafter Deport Museum)" or "David Anderson Athletic Scholarship Fund" written in the memo Or go to kernfoundation.org. Kern Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax deductible (Tax ID #77-0555874).