Remembering Tina Anderson

This past Saturday, many of my local extended family members gathered to join with many of Tina and Bill’s family members to memorialize her and gain a bit of closure. Tina Anderson was one of my “up north” cousins. However, she was from the deep south and had a love for New Orleans… more on the later in this post. Even though us southerners and the northern group have some differences in how we approach life, we love and care for each other… and… that is the way it should be.

Bill Anderson, if you ever read this post, know this… I love and appreciate you and I am thankful that I have you guys in the history and future of my life story. Life is a series of short stories that God strings together for various reasons. At least, that is my opinion. Some of these stories are designed to help us learn more about others and some are to help us learn more about ourselves. The most important ones are rubricks in time to help us learn more about Him, His nature, His salvation through His Son, and how we can live our lives to honor Him.

Now, let me tell you a bit more about Tina from my perspective. As I am prone to do, let me do this in a bullet form fashion 🙂

Tina and I were close in age, she was born in 1959 and I was born in 1960. She has two sisters, Sheila and Cheryl. When I was younger, I was close to these girls and always enjoyed being around them. We were related through her mom, Nancy. Nancy was the daughter of one of my dad’s brothers, Willard.
Once, in one of those unusual life stories, I had an occasion to travel to Park Forest with a friend to spend several days with Tina and her family. That summer was a bit crazy, I was 19 (I think), and certain parts of the story would be best left unsaid 😉
During that summer trip to Park Forest, I met Bill Anderson for the first time, and he would later become part of my extended family through his marriage to Tina. Over the years, Bill and I have had a few interesting discussions about faith, and I appreciate his commitment to God through the Catholic Church. We have a few differences of opinion about some religious things, but it is very obvious that we both believe in the same God and the Lord Jesus.
I have always loved Tina’s smile. In nearly every situation in life that I have observed, she always kept a positive attitude and reflected an inner peace that many people wish they had. I take comfort in knowing that I’ll see Tina’s smile again when this life is over, amen.
Tina also loved art and was a creative person… as am I. The medium in which we applied our artistic flare may have been different, but the reality is that the act of creating something beautiful is where the pleasure comes from. Tina, the fact is that you are experiencing what an old Gospel song declares: “I bowed on my knees and cried holy” is more beutiful than words can describe. Enjoy it.
Lastly, for this list, let me say that Tina had a presence about her that was stable and steadfast. I am not sure if others felt that way, but I always have. When I visited with the sisters, Tina was always the anchor. Cheryl and Sheila, you girls are strong too, but there is something about being the big sister, right? I know, you know what I mean.

Tina M. Anderson – 66

Park Forest, Illinois – Tina M. Anderson nee Affeldt. Age 66. Longtime Park Forest resident, born in Alexandria, Louisiana. Graduate of Rich East High School. Attended Prairie State College. Retired Graphic Artist from BBDS/Noble Advertising Agency. Tina was very artistic, which showed through when making jewelry or baking. She was known for her cupcakes, wedding cakes and specialty cakes, not only for her family and friends’ consumption, but were also sold at the Park Forest Farmers’ Market. Wife for 41 years of William Anderson. Mother of Megan Anderson. Daughter of the late Nancy Ann Nicholas and Louis W. Affeldt. Sister of Cheryl (William) Matre and Sheila (Richard) Butler. Aunt to many nieces and nephews. Friend to many. Resting at Panozzo Bros. Funeral Home, Chicago Heights on Sunday August 3, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral Monday August 4, 2025 9:30 am from funeral home to St Anthony Church, 7659 Sauk Trail, Frankfort. Mass 10:30 am. Interment Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.
NOTE: This was the obituary that was posted online by the funeral home.