Mary Elizabeth “Bette” Anderson, 83, beloved wife of Warren A. Anderson, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025 after a brief illness.
Born in Beverly on September 15, 1941, Bette was the daughter of the late David R. and Mary C. (Beaton) Singleton. The youngest of five, she grew up in Manchester-by-the-Sea and was educated at St. Margaret’s Grammar School and St. Mary’s High School in Beverly. She was trained at the former Salem Commercial School and received her paralegal degree from Bentley College. She spent her entire career at Sylvania/OSRAM, working in the legal and intellectual property departments. There, she oversaw an extensive database for patents and trademarks.
At Sylvania, Bette met her husband, Warren, with whom she shared 58 years of marriage, world travels, and adventure on their sailboats, large and small. Hosting friends, family, and their beloved golden retrievers on the High-Sea-Era out of Manchester Harbor, Bette was famous for her post-sail wine and cheese, with raspberry brambles for the younger crowd. Her wicked sense of humor, funny voices, and stories about Manchester of the past made those trips all the more memorable.
During their winters in Sanibel, FL, Bette worked with Sanibel Shell Crafters, creating intricate shell flowers that won top prizes at both the Sanibel Shell and Topsfield Fairs. Losing her eyesight to macular degeneration didn’t slow Bette down. She continued to tend her garden and cook up a storm, often projecting her recipes on the kitchen wall to read.
Bette and Warren moved to Danvers in 1969 and were active in the community. Bette was a longtime communicant and Eucharistic Minister at St. Richard Church, found joy and lasting friendships at the Danvers Garden Club, and remained engaged with the Danvers Council on Aging.
In addition to her devoted husband, Bette leaves behind her brother Richard Singleton (Priscilla) of Manchester and her sister Patricia McManus (Edward) of Old Saybrook, CT. She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Robert Singleton (Mildred) and Ronald Singleton, both of Manchester. She will also be sorely missed by her many nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. She was, in her own way for each, the “fun” aunt, always choosing to sit at the kids’ table.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated in Saint Richard Church, 90 Forest Street in Danvers, on Wednesday, April 16th at 10:00 o’clock in the morning. Interment was followed immediately at Wadsworth Cemetery, Summer St., Danvers. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bette’s memory may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923. To share an expression of sympathy with the Anderson family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.
