On May 24, 2020, heaven gained an angel and we lost one on this earth. Loretta Ann Gaffney Anderson was born to John “Don” and Virginia Gaffney on April 22, 1954 in New York. As the daughter of an FBI agent and the oldest of seven children she was never at a loss for interesting, often hilarious and endlessly entertaining, stories and anecdotes.
As one of seven children, she had the joy of having many loving brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. She took the time to love and appreciate each of them, and her siblings and parents were a constant foundation for her throughout her life.
From a young age, she showed the engaging and infectious personality that became one of the things we all loved most about her. She had it all, personality, humor, looks and brains. She was at the top of her class at the University of Connecticut, where she met Bill, her husband and the love of her life. She continued on, receiving two masters’ degrees from Columbia and a master’s degree from the University of New Orleans, all with the outstanding marks that she always demanded of herself. She was not only talented, but she was driven. She worked two jobs to put herself through school, often sleeping in her car during her brief breaks. She was determined to never give up on her dreams, and she achieved them all and more.
After she and Bill married, they moved across the country and adopted a new life as “Southern Yankees.” She had an unbelievably successful career at Ernst and Young, rising to be the youngest senior manager in EY history. After many years at EY, she left her lucrative career to pursue her passion of being a mother and a teacher. She handed in her notice without reservation when she became pregnant with her daughter, and she never looked back.
For 26 years she devoted herself completely to being the best mother and community college professor she could be, often turning down lucrative professorships and professional opportunities in the interest of helping others. She saw every student for who they were, no matter their national origin, race or history. She worked tirelessly to help her students, even ones who had failed many times before. She never gave up on anyone. She truly embodied Christ’s directive to all of us to act selflessly and devote our lives to people and relationships. As one of the most sought after professors in the school, she was regularly recognized for her devotion and her impact on the lives of her students. In fact, a student even named her child after Lori. However, she was as humble as she was devoted, never allowing any acolytes to change her amazing personality.
She was also the mother to two children whom she fiercely loved, and who fiercely loved her in return. She was the room mom, the constant volunteer, and always made herself available to her children and their teachers. She would pull all nighters making signs for sporting events, driving to early morning practices, and ensuring that every holiday and birthday was a truly magical experience. She adored her children and husband, and in the end she died peacefully in their arms, surrounded by them.
After she retired from teaching, she devoted her life to mission work and her family. She worked tirelessly for anyone seeking or needing guidance. There was never a task too menial for her to perform or a person she believed was beyond help. She was a devote Christian and involved member of University Park United Methodist Church, and the organizations she devoted herself to are too voluminous to list. Even when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she always looked for the blessing in the circumstance, no matter how grim. She always saw the silver lining, seeing her cancer as an opportunity to minister to patients, doctors, nurses, and anyone she met. One of many examples that sticks out was when she was told she would need brain surgery, she said, “well I am blessed because if you have to have a brain tumor, this is the type to have.” She never let herself, or anyone else, see her as anything but a blessed child of God. She never gave up hope.
For close to three years, she battled stage 4 lung cancer. There was no treatment she would not try, and “no” was simply not a word in her vocabulary. She befriended all who met her, doctors, technicians, nurses, and even strangers in waiting rooms. She was a dog lover and her beloved golden retriever, Aggie, was by her side throughout the trials and pains of cancer.
Throughout her illness, her family and friends remained a constant source of support. Her husband uprooted his life and career to give her the devotion she had always given him. She passed away just short of their 44th wedding anniversary, and the hole left by her passing can never be filled.
Lori was greeted in heaven by her mother and father, Virginia and John D. Gaffney, and her beloved sister Donna Gaffney. She is survived by her husband Bill Anderson and children Jessie Anderson (Sean McAuliffe) and Kyle Anderson.
Lori is also survived by her brothers, sisters, and in-laws Kathy Gaffney (Don LeoGrande), Brian (Mary Lou) Gaffney, Patti (Tom) Caputo, Bill (Erin) Gaffney and Lyn (Mike) Magee, and her many nieces and nephews Matthew (Krysten) Bold, Steven Bold, David Burger, Callie Caputo, Kristin Burger, Thomas (Sara) Bold, JT Caputo, Shannon Gaffney, Ryann Gaffney, Kelly Gaffney, Conner Gaffney, Liam Gaffney, Katie Magee, Dillon Magee, Kevin Magee, and Owen Magee, each of whom she adored and who adore her.
Lori’s family invites all who knew and loved her to a visitation/wake (with social distancing) at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home on Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 from 2:00-6:00 pm. Until Covid is over, this will be the only public celebration of her incredible life. We will have masks and sanitizer for all who come to pay their respects.
The Committal Service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park Pavilion at 11:30 am, which will be livestreamed though the Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SparkmanHillcrest/
The family looks forward to a celebration memorial service in the future at her home church, which will be scheduled when it is safe for larger gathering.
We hope all who loved her will join us this week in grieving and celebrating her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to:
University Park United Methodist Church Mission Fund in the Name of the Anderson Family 4024 Caruth Blvd Dallas TX 75225
Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home
As one of seven children, she had the joy of having many loving brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. She took the time to love and appreciate each of them, and her siblings and parents were a constant foundation for her throughout her life.
From a young age, she showed the engaging and infectious personality that became one of the things we all loved most about her. She had it all, personality, humor, looks and brains. She was at the top of her class at the University of Connecticut, where she met Bill, her husband and the love of her life. She continued on, receiving two masters’ degrees from Columbia and a master’s degree from the University of New Orleans, all with the outstanding marks that she always demanded of herself. She was not only talented, but she was driven. She worked two jobs to put herself through school, often sleeping in her car during her brief breaks. She was determined to never give up on her dreams, and she achieved them all and more.
After she and Bill married, they moved across the country and adopted a new life as “Southern Yankees.” She had an unbelievably successful career at Ernst and Young, rising to be the youngest senior manager in EY history. After many years at EY, she left her lucrative career to pursue her passion of being a mother and a teacher. She handed in her notice without reservation when she became pregnant with her daughter, and she never looked back.
For 26 years she devoted herself completely to being the best mother and community college professor she could be, often turning down lucrative professorships and professional opportunities in the interest of helping others. She saw every student for who they were, no matter their national origin, race or history. She worked tirelessly to help her students, even ones who had failed many times before. She never gave up on anyone. She truly embodied Christ’s directive to all of us to act selflessly and devote our lives to people and relationships. As one of the most sought after professors in the school, she was regularly recognized for her devotion and her impact on the lives of her students. In fact, a student even named her child after Lori. However, she was as humble as she was devoted, never allowing any acolytes to change her amazing personality.
She was also the mother to two children whom she fiercely loved, and who fiercely loved her in return. She was the room mom, the constant volunteer, and always made herself available to her children and their teachers. She would pull all nighters making signs for sporting events, driving to early morning practices, and ensuring that every holiday and birthday was a truly magical experience. She adored her children and husband, and in the end she died peacefully in their arms, surrounded by them.
After she retired from teaching, she devoted her life to mission work and her family. She worked tirelessly for anyone seeking or needing guidance. There was never a task too menial for her to perform or a person she believed was beyond help. She was a devote Christian and involved member of University Park United Methodist Church, and the organizations she devoted herself to are too voluminous to list. Even when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she always looked for the blessing in the circumstance, no matter how grim. She always saw the silver lining, seeing her cancer as an opportunity to minister to patients, doctors, nurses, and anyone she met. One of many examples that sticks out was when she was told she would need brain surgery, she said, “well I am blessed because if you have to have a brain tumor, this is the type to have.” She never let herself, or anyone else, see her as anything but a blessed child of God. She never gave up hope.
For close to three years, she battled stage 4 lung cancer. There was no treatment she would not try, and “no” was simply not a word in her vocabulary. She befriended all who met her, doctors, technicians, nurses, and even strangers in waiting rooms. She was a dog lover and her beloved golden retriever, Aggie, was by her side throughout the trials and pains of cancer.
Throughout her illness, her family and friends remained a constant source of support. Her husband uprooted his life and career to give her the devotion she had always given him. She passed away just short of their 44th wedding anniversary, and the hole left by her passing can never be filled.
Lori was greeted in heaven by her mother and father, Virginia and John D. Gaffney, and her beloved sister Donna Gaffney. She is survived by her husband Bill Anderson and children Jessie Anderson (Sean McAuliffe) and Kyle Anderson.
Lori is also survived by her brothers, sisters, and in-laws Kathy Gaffney (Don LeoGrande), Brian (Mary Lou) Gaffney, Patti (Tom) Caputo, Bill (Erin) Gaffney and Lyn (Mike) Magee, and her many nieces and nephews Matthew (Krysten) Bold, Steven Bold, David Burger, Callie Caputo, Kristin Burger, Thomas (Sara) Bold, JT Caputo, Shannon Gaffney, Ryann Gaffney, Kelly Gaffney, Conner Gaffney, Liam Gaffney, Katie Magee, Dillon Magee, Kevin Magee, and Owen Magee, each of whom she adored and who adore her.
Lori’s family invites all who knew and loved her to a visitation/wake (with social distancing) at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home on Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 from 2:00-6:00 pm. Until Covid is over, this will be the only public celebration of her incredible life. We will have masks and sanitizer for all who come to pay their respects.
The Committal Service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park Pavilion at 11:30 am, which will be livestreamed though the Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SparkmanHillcrest/
The family looks forward to a celebration memorial service in the future at her home church, which will be scheduled when it is safe for larger gathering.
We hope all who loved her will join us this week in grieving and celebrating her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to:
University Park United Methodist Church Mission Fund in the Name of the Anderson Family 4024 Caruth Blvd Dallas TX 75225
Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home
On May 24, 2020, heaven gained an angel and we lost one on this earth. Loretta Ann Gaffney Anderson was born to John “Don” and Virginia Gaffney on April 22, 1954 in New York. As the daughter of an FBI agent and the oldest of seven children she was never at a loss for interesting, often hilarious and endlessly entertaining, stories and anecdotes.
As one of seven children, she had the joy of having many loving brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. She took the time to love and appreciate each of them, and her siblings and parents were a constant foundation for her throughout her life.
From a young age, she showed the engaging and infectious personality that became one of the things we all loved most about her. She had it all, personality, humor, looks and brains. She was at the top of her class at the University of Connecticut, where she met Bill, her husband and the love of her life. She continued on, receiving two masters’ degrees from Columbia and a master’s degree from the University of New Orleans, all with the outstanding marks that she always demanded of herself. She was not only talented, but she was driven. She worked two jobs to put herself through school, often sleeping in her car during her brief breaks. She was determined to never give up on her dreams, and she achieved them all and more.
After she and Bill married, they moved across the country and adopted a new life as “Southern Yankees.” She had an unbelievably successful career at Ernst and Young, rising to be the youngest senior manager in EY history. After many years at EY, she left her lucrative career to pursue her passion of being a mother and a teacher. She handed in her notice without reservation when she became pregnant with her daughter, and she never looked back.
For 26 years she devoted herself completely to being the best mother and community college professor she could be, often turning down lucrative professorships and professional opportunities in the interest of helping others. She saw every student for who they were, no matter their national origin, race or history. She worked tirelessly to help her students, even ones who had failed many times before. She never gave up on anyone. She truly embodied Christ’s directive to all of us to act selflessly and devote our lives to people and relationships. As one of the most sought after professors in the school, she was regularly recognized for her devotion and her impact on the lives of her students. In fact, a student even named her child after Lori. However, she was as humble as she was devoted, never allowing any acolytes to change her amazing personality.
She was also the mother to two children whom she fiercely loved, and who fiercely loved her in return. She was the room mom, the constant volunteer, and always made herself available to her children and their teachers. She would pull all nighters making signs for sporting events, driving to early morning practices, and ensuring that every holiday and birthday was a truly magical experience. She adored her children and husband, and in the end she died peacefully in their arms, surrounded by them.
After she retired from teaching, she devoted her life to mission work and her family. She worked tirelessly for anyone seeking or needing guidance. There was never a task too menial for her to perform or a person she believed was beyond help. She was a devote Christian and involved member of University Park United Methodist Church, and the organizations she devoted herself to are too voluminous to list. Even when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she always looked for the blessing in the circumstance, no matter how grim. She always saw the silver lining, seeing her cancer as an opportunity to minister to patients, doctors, nurses, and anyone she met. One of many examples that sticks out was when she was told she would need brain surgery, she said, “well I am blessed because if you have to have a brain tumor, this is the type to have.” She never let herself, or anyone else, see her as anything but a blessed child of God. She never gave up hope.
For close to three years, she battled stage 4 lung cancer. There was no treatment she would not try, and “no” was simply not a word in her vocabulary. She befriended all who met her, doctors, technicians, nurses, and even strangers in waiting rooms. She was a dog lover and her beloved golden retriever, Aggie, was by her side throughout the trials and pains of cancer.
Throughout her illness, her family and friends remained a constant source of support. Her husband uprooted his life and career to give her the devotion she had always given him. She passed away just short of their 44th wedding anniversary, and the hole left by her passing can never be filled.
Lori was greeted in heaven by her mother and father, Virginia and John D. Gaffney, and her beloved sister Donna Gaffney. She is survived by her husband Bill Anderson and children Jessie Anderson (Sean McAuliffe) and Kyle Anderson.
Lori is also survived by her brothers, sisters, and in-laws Kathy Gaffney (Don LeoGrande), Brian (Mary Lou) Gaffney, Patti (Tom) Caputo, Bill (Erin) Gaffney and Lyn (Mike) Magee, and her many nieces and nephews Matthew (Krysten) Bold, Steven Bold, David Burger, Callie Caputo, Kristin Burger, Thomas (Sara) Bold, JT Caputo, Shannon Gaffney, Ryann Gaffney, Kelly Gaffney, Conner Gaffney, Liam Gaffney, Katie Magee, Dillon Magee, Kevin Magee, and Owen Magee, each of whom she adored and who adore her.
Lori’s family invites all who knew and loved her to a visitation/wake (with social distancing) at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home on Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 from 2:00-6:00 pm. Until Covid is over, this will be the only public celebration of her incredible life. We will have masks and sanitizer for all who come to pay their respects.
The Committal Service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park Pavilion at 11:30 am, which will be livestreamed though the Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SparkmanHillcrest/
The family looks forward to a celebration memorial service in the future at her home church, which will be scheduled when it is safe for larger gathering.
We hope all who loved her will join us this week in grieving and celebrating her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to:
University Park United Methodist Church Mission Fund in the Name of the Anderson Family 4024 Caruth Blvd Dallas TX 75225
Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home
As one of seven children, she had the joy of having many loving brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. She took the time to love and appreciate each of them, and her siblings and parents were a constant foundation for her throughout her life.
From a young age, she showed the engaging and infectious personality that became one of the things we all loved most about her. She had it all, personality, humor, looks and brains. She was at the top of her class at the University of Connecticut, where she met Bill, her husband and the love of her life. She continued on, receiving two masters’ degrees from Columbia and a master’s degree from the University of New Orleans, all with the outstanding marks that she always demanded of herself. She was not only talented, but she was driven. She worked two jobs to put herself through school, often sleeping in her car during her brief breaks. She was determined to never give up on her dreams, and she achieved them all and more.
After she and Bill married, they moved across the country and adopted a new life as “Southern Yankees.” She had an unbelievably successful career at Ernst and Young, rising to be the youngest senior manager in EY history. After many years at EY, she left her lucrative career to pursue her passion of being a mother and a teacher. She handed in her notice without reservation when she became pregnant with her daughter, and she never looked back.
For 26 years she devoted herself completely to being the best mother and community college professor she could be, often turning down lucrative professorships and professional opportunities in the interest of helping others. She saw every student for who they were, no matter their national origin, race or history. She worked tirelessly to help her students, even ones who had failed many times before. She never gave up on anyone. She truly embodied Christ’s directive to all of us to act selflessly and devote our lives to people and relationships. As one of the most sought after professors in the school, she was regularly recognized for her devotion and her impact on the lives of her students. In fact, a student even named her child after Lori. However, she was as humble as she was devoted, never allowing any acolytes to change her amazing personality.
She was also the mother to two children whom she fiercely loved, and who fiercely loved her in return. She was the room mom, the constant volunteer, and always made herself available to her children and their teachers. She would pull all nighters making signs for sporting events, driving to early morning practices, and ensuring that every holiday and birthday was a truly magical experience. She adored her children and husband, and in the end she died peacefully in their arms, surrounded by them.
After she retired from teaching, she devoted her life to mission work and her family. She worked tirelessly for anyone seeking or needing guidance. There was never a task too menial for her to perform or a person she believed was beyond help. She was a devote Christian and involved member of University Park United Methodist Church, and the organizations she devoted herself to are too voluminous to list. Even when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she always looked for the blessing in the circumstance, no matter how grim. She always saw the silver lining, seeing her cancer as an opportunity to minister to patients, doctors, nurses, and anyone she met. One of many examples that sticks out was when she was told she would need brain surgery, she said, “well I am blessed because if you have to have a brain tumor, this is the type to have.” She never let herself, or anyone else, see her as anything but a blessed child of God. She never gave up hope.
For close to three years, she battled stage 4 lung cancer. There was no treatment she would not try, and “no” was simply not a word in her vocabulary. She befriended all who met her, doctors, technicians, nurses, and even strangers in waiting rooms. She was a dog lover and her beloved golden retriever, Aggie, was by her side throughout the trials and pains of cancer.
Throughout her illness, her family and friends remained a constant source of support. Her husband uprooted his life and career to give her the devotion she had always given him. She passed away just short of their 44th wedding anniversary, and the hole left by her passing can never be filled.
Lori was greeted in heaven by her mother and father, Virginia and John D. Gaffney, and her beloved sister Donna Gaffney. She is survived by her husband Bill Anderson and children Jessie Anderson (Sean McAuliffe) and Kyle Anderson.
Lori is also survived by her brothers, sisters, and in-laws Kathy Gaffney (Don LeoGrande), Brian (Mary Lou) Gaffney, Patti (Tom) Caputo, Bill (Erin) Gaffney and Lyn (Mike) Magee, and her many nieces and nephews Matthew (Krysten) Bold, Steven Bold, David Burger, Callie Caputo, Kristin Burger, Thomas (Sara) Bold, JT Caputo, Shannon Gaffney, Ryann Gaffney, Kelly Gaffney, Conner Gaffney, Liam Gaffney, Katie Magee, Dillon Magee, Kevin Magee, and Owen Magee, each of whom she adored and who adore her.
Lori’s family invites all who knew and loved her to a visitation/wake (with social distancing) at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home on Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 from 2:00-6:00 pm. Until Covid is over, this will be the only public celebration of her incredible life. We will have masks and sanitizer for all who come to pay their respects.
The Committal Service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park Pavilion at 11:30 am, which will be livestreamed though the Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SparkmanHillcrest/
The family looks forward to a celebration memorial service in the future at her home church, which will be scheduled when it is safe for larger gathering.
We hope all who loved her will join us this week in grieving and celebrating her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to:
University Park United Methodist Church Mission Fund in the Name of the Anderson Family 4024 Caruth Blvd Dallas TX 75225
Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home
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