Obituary of Elaine Ruth Anderson

Elaine Ruth Anderson of North Andover, formerly of Windsor, VT, Malden, MA, Burlington, MA, Wilmington, MA, and Lewiston, ME passed away after an extended battle with cancer which she faced bravely.  Elaine passed with her family at her bedside on Thursday morning, August 15, 2024.  She was 72 years old.  Elaine was born in Malden, MA.  She was the daughter of Almerico and Ruth DiCampo.  She grew up in Windsor Vermont and was a graduate of Windsor High School.  She earned her nursing degree in Tewksbury.  Elaine spent most of her career working as an LPN helping the elderly.  As a single mom, she left nursing temporarily and entered sales to better support her family.  She returned to different types of nursing including helping individuals who suffered from eating disorders, but found geriatrics was the most fulfilling type of caregiving for her.  She worked for a wide variety of rehabilitation centers and nursing homes over her career.  Because of illness she retired last year at the age of 71.  

Elaine was voted Ms. Congeniality in high school and was whimsical, artistic, free spirited and adventurous.  She made jewelry.  She collected rocks and coins.  She was fascinated with astrological and metaphysical meanings and signs.  She went on a vision quest in New Mexico and was given the name “Hummingbird’s Blessing.”  She enjoyed Pow Wows. She lived in Germany for a spell.   She went to the Grand Canyon with her children for her 65th birthday and walked 8 miles a day during the trip.  She enjoyed gardening, nature, birdwatching, and flowers.  She loved hiking in the woods.  For the fun of it, she went to the University of Massachusetts in her 60’s to earn her master’s degree in education.  She vacationed frequently in Rockport and traveled widely including to Georgia and Canada with her friend Roberta, sailing through the Caribbean and vacationing with her children in the Southwest, Pacific North West, and Alaska.  In a world where folks collecting things they don’t need just so others will be impressed, Elaine marched to her own drum, was inquisitive about things that others considered inconsequential, and embraced life, nature, and the world as a gift to be enjoyed and appreciated.  She was happiest spending time with her children and family.  

Elaine was the loving mother of Dee Dee Anders and her spouse Patricia Anders of Darrington, WA and Dutchy J. Anderson of Burlington and former spouse of Dennis Cal Anderson of Lewiston, ME.  She was the devoted daughter of Ruth McCarey of Haverhill and the late Almerico DiCampo.  She was the sister of Ann Ricker of Chelmsford, Tom DiCampo & his wife Lori of Goshen, NH, and the late Jean Dalton.  A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at her son Dutchy’s home, 1 Ardmore Ave, Burlington on Saturday, August 24th from 3:30 – 7:00 PM with words in memoriam at 4:30 PM followed by an ice cream sundae celebration.  In lieu of flowers donations in Elaine’s honor can be made to the Boy’s & Girl’s Club of Woburn or the Merrimack Valley Food Bank.