Obituary of Patricia Anne Anderson

Patricia (Pat) Anne Anderson (Slusack) peacefully passed away on July 4, 2024, at the age of 90. Preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Matilda Slusack, husband Jack, son Leif and brother Walter. She is survived by daughter Leilani, sister Joanne Terry, and several nieces and nephews. She leaves behind a legacy of love, family, faith, and cherished memories. Pat will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Pat was born on February 10, 1934, to Walter and Matilda Slusack in Fall River, Massachusetts.

A 1952 graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Pat joined the Air Force in 1955 where she served with the 9th Communications Squadron, Far East Air Forces, as a Communications Specialist at Hickam Air Force Base in Oahu, Hawaii. It was while in the Air Force in Hawaii that Pat met Jack Anderson. She was honorably discharged in 1957 as a Staff Sergeant.

Soon after, she married Jack who continued his career in the Air Force. Their family grew with the addition of Leilani later in 1957 and Leif in 1959.

After several additional duty stations with the Air Force, Jack retired in May of 1968 and the family returned to Fall River to be near Pat’s family in 1968.

In 1969 Pat resumed her education and received an associate in science degree from Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts.

In 1974 the family moved to northern Minnesota to be near Jack’s family and Pat resumed her education while raising the children.

In 1978, Pat obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and began her teaching career with schools in the Cloquet area of Minnesota.

Her early teaching career included time teaching Adult Basic Education for the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency and Westonka Public Schools (ISD #271).

In 1980, Pat found her calling and began teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in the Hopkins School District (ISD #270). The family became members at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hopkins where Pat was an active member of the Women’s Club.

Pat was a deeply faithful Roman Catholic and became an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Louis Park, MN where she particularly enjoyed participating in the Veteran’s Day events at the church and school.

August of 1985 began a particularly difficult time in the family’s life with Jack’s diagnosis of head and neck cancer that would lead to his passing in December of 1986. Pat and Jack had been married 29 years.

In later years Pat continued to satiate her wanderlust with trips to Europe and throughout the United States accompanied by her family and teaching friends.

Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 am on August 1st at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5900 West Lake Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55416. A Rosary will be said beginning at 9:30 am.

Interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 1:00 pm with full military honors.

Eternal rest grant onto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.