Edwina L. Anderson

MOHAWK/BLUFFTON, SC:  Edwina L. Anderson, 75, formerly of Mohawk and Ilion, NY, died peacefully at her home in Bluffton with family by her side on January 7, 2022.  Edwina “Eddie” was born in Queens, NY in 1946 to the late Edward and Helen Kleese and grew up in Islip, Long Island.   

Edwina earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from SUNY-Oneonta and went on to teach elementary education for 33 years at Barringer Road Elementary School in Ilion, NY.  She was extremely involved in the New York State United Teachers Association and it was there she met the love of her life, Bernard Anderson.  They married in 1977 and continued to build their circle of family and friends in the Mohawk Valley.  They were both very active in the Ilion Little Theater, both onstage and off.  Together they retired to Sun City in Bluffton, SC in 2005, enjoying life and activities with family and friends, old and new. They continued their love of theater with the Sun City Theater Club.  Bernie predeceased her in 2008. 

Eddie is survived by her son, Lawrence (Kristin) in Bluffton, SC; and her “daughters”, Kathryn (James) Barickman (Underhill, VT), Mary Anderson (Bluffton, SC) and Bernadette (Charles Clottin) Posato (Rochester, NY and Umatilla,FL).  Her greatest joy in life was being Oma to her “angels”, Benjamin and Grace. 

Edwina also leaves her beloved siblings, Elaine (Conrad) Koehler (Hilton Head, SC) and Bruce (Frances) Kleese (Edmond, OK) as well as many nieces and nephews.

She will also be greatly missed by her many “sisters of the heart” from her teaching days and her recent years in Sun City. 

She will forever be remembered by all who knew her for her huge heart and endless generosity.  She gave so much of her time and herself to family and friends- and if she loved you, you were family. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made in Edwina’s name to Bluffton Self Help or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital to continue her legacy of love and helping others. 

Funeral arrangements are by Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton, SC.  A funeral liturgy will take place in South Carolina at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Bluffton on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 10:20 AM.  A memorial service will be held June, 2022 in Chestertown, NY.   

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