Lily Joan Anderson

Lily was born in London, England in her parents home in May 1913. She was born to Percy and Sarah. Her only sister, Ena, was 4 years older. Lily learned to sew at the age of 7 and, in her teens, became an apprentice to a seamstress. Her father, Percy, was an interior designer and painter and her mother, Sarah, was a homemaker. Lily sewed for a fashion house in London. She met John Shuttleton and had two sons, Ian, born in 1940, and Peter, born in 1942 during World War II in London. John was believed killed in the war. She then came to America on the Queen Mary in 1946 with her two sons as a war bride to reunite with her husband, Mr. Thomas Anderson, whom she met as an Canadian soldier during the war. She has resided in Long Beach, CA ever since. Lily was an expert seamstress: sewing for the elite and creating costumes for her first granddaughter, who appeared in several movies and commercials in the 60's. She has sewed all her life for her family and countless friends. At the ages of 89 and 91 she created exquisite wedding dresses for her granddaughters. Lily ran a sewing class in her home for many years; it brought her joy to share her love of sewing. She was also a very talented knitter, knitting blankets, sweaters, and baby items, many of them donated to Long Beach Memorial Miller Children's Hospital. For the past five years, until her quick illness, she was sewing pajamas and tote bags for children rescued from abusive homes. Lily was the most kind, patient, giving person one could ever meet. Everyone who knew Lily (Mother, Grandma, Granny, GiGi and friend) loved and cherished her beautiful spirit. She lived with Peter and family for thirty five years until her peaceful passing. She attended St. Luke's Episcopal Church for most of her life, and more recently, St. Theodore's Episcopal Church. Lily had a tremendous faith in the Lord, and was very spiritual; prayer was very important to her. She was loving, compassionate, generous, and humble with a tenacious British spirit and sense of humor. Lily is survived by her son, Peter, daughter-in-law, Linda, granddaughters, Keri, Jenni,and Sally as well as her great-grandchildren, Drew, Stephanie, Lily, Avery, Charlotte, and Palmer. She will be greatly missed and is now our angel in heaven.