Mary Patricia Anderson

Mary Patricia Pheasant - Anderson October 3, 1936 - January 19, 2016 Beloved mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, great aunt, matriarch and mentor peacefully passed away January 19, 2016. Born October 3, 1936 in New York, New York, her father, Homer C. Pheasant, M.D., Ph.D., a renowned orthopedic surgeon, with wife Evelyn, moved to Los Angeles. Following WWII, they firmly settled the family in Pasadena, California, where Mary Pat, her four sisters and brother spent their childhood and young adult life. In 1954, Mary Pat graduated top of her class from Mayfield Senior School, and entered Pomona College, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. Her academic journey continued at the University of New Hampshire with a teaching fellowship in the Zoology department, earning a post-graduate degree-MS in Biological Science-Marine Biology. Mary Pat met the love of her life, Edward A. Anderson at UNH. They married June 25, 1960 at her childhood and family parish, St. Andrew Catholic Church in Pasadena. They returned to the east coast where Ed continued his graduate studies at Rutgers. Completing their academic pursuits, Mary Pat and Ed began working at University of California, Riverside--settling in Yorba Linda, California, where they raised their family. Mary Pat returned to her Holy Child roots in 1975 joining the faculty at Cornelia Connelly High School from September 1975 to June 2010. During her 35 years at Connelly, she taught Physical Science, Biology, Marine Biology, Chaired the Science Department, was Senior Class Moderator, Activities Director, College Counselor, and Tennis Coach. As empty nesters, Mary Pat and Ed moved to Tustin Ranch, California. With Ed's passing in 2002, she established a scholarship in his name for a sophomore who excelled in science and math. Upon retirement, she returned to work briefly from 2010-2012 at the Waldorf School of Orange County-Costa Mesa as College Counselor. Mary Pat, a world traveler, embodied the Holy Child and passed this great legacy onto her family. She celebrated her Catholic faith, intellect, and personified unconditional love with her family. Mary Pat is survived by her children Stephen (wife Debbie), Cheryl, (husband Merrill Butler III) Eric (wife Malea); grandchildren Kaylee, Kyle, Kevin, Tessa and Molly; great grandchildren Sawyer and Asher; siblings Stephanie, Michelle (John Angelo), Kristine and Christopher (preceded in death by Sandra and Debbie); 20 nieces and nephews; 19 great nieces and nephews. A celebration of Mary Pat's life with be held at Christ Cathedral Arboretum-Garden Grove, California, Monday, February 15, 2016 at 9am with a reception to follow in Cultural Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Pat's name to the following;Girls in Ocean Science - Teen Conference Ocean Institute http://www.ocean-institute.org 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629Edward A. Anderson Science Scholarship Cornelia Connelly High School http://www.connellyhs.org 2323 W. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92804Pheasant Family Scholarship Fund Mayfield Senior School https://www.mayfieldsenior.org 500 Bellefontaine Street, Pasadena, CA 91105

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