Halldis T. Anderson

Halldis T. Anderson, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 12, 2018.  She was born on October 24, 1927 in Haugesund, Norway to the late Helge and Bertha Tindeland.  She grew up in Norway, with her brother, Narve, and sister, Marit, and lived through the occupation of Norway in World War II.  She earned her degree in Library Science through the Norwegian School of Librarians from the University of Oslo in 1951. 

Halldis traveled to the United States on an exchange visitor program to Seattle, Washington in 1955 where she met her future husband, Carlyn F. Anderson, otherwise known as “Andy.”  They were subsequently married in Bergen, Norway in 1956.  For the next 13 years, she traveled around the world with Andy, who was in the Foreign Service with the U.S. Agency for International Development, and with their three children (Erik, Marit, and Rolf), who were all born abroad. 

During extended assignments while living in Taiwan and Bolivia, Halldis served as librarian at the American school associated with the U.S. Embassy.  A superb hostess, she frequently hosted events at their home, as well as family and friends who visited from around the world.  After returning to the Washington, DC area for a home assignment, Andy passed away.  Halldis remained in their home in Falls Church, Virginia and raised their young children on her own, but regularly travelled with them to Norway and to the Pacific Northwest to visit with both sides of the family during summer breaks.  Halldis continued working in different jobs to raise her children, putting them all through college.

After 30 years of dating, she married John W. “Bill” East, a retired CIA agent and forester.  They enjoyed a number of years travelling to exotic and adventurous places, from Bali to Alaska, but also to Central Virginia where Bill worked as a gentleman farmer near Staunton until his passing.   

Halldis had an inquisitive mind, an infectious laugh, and an indomitable spirit.  She loved to read, and was a very skillful bridge player, and hosted both book clubs and bridge tourneys at her home in Falls Church.  She loved life, family, friends, and home, and always remained true to her values and to her Norwegian roots and traditions.

Carrying on her memory and legacy are her three children, Erik N. Anderson, Marit C. Anderson, and Rolf R. Anderson, and their families, which includes six grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Everly Funeral Home in Falls Church, Virginia on June 30, 2018, between 2PM and 5PM, for family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in her honor to your local library or to the Fairfax Public Library, which she loved to visit, at:  Fairfax Library Foundation, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 329, Fairfax, VA 22035 or: http://fairfaxlibraryfoundation.org/donatefunds/

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