Beatrice Porter Anderson

Beatrice Porter Anderson, 97, of East Hampton, passed away peacefully at home with her children by her side on February 9, 2021. She was born on February 22, 1923 to Winthrop and Ethel (Hills) Porter in Gilead, CT. She grew up on the Porter Dairy Farm in Hebron. After graduating from high school Bea continued her education earning her hairdressing license. She left the family farm to work at G. Fox Salon in Hartford CT. She continued her profession by opening her own business, Bea's Beauty Box, above Thatchers Drug Store in East Hampton CT.

At Thatcher Drug Store she met the love of her life, Ernest Anderson. They were married in 1947 and made East Hampton their lifetime home. Shortly after being married they opened East Hampton Laundromat. Together they were among the original founding partners of Blackledge CC in Hebron CT. Bea, and the other wives, handled the day to day operations of the golf course, which was unusual for those times. She was instrumental in forming Blackledge CC Woman's Golf Association and enjoyed playing the game of golf until her late eighties. The Bea Anderson Golf Tournament has been on going for thirty plus years is one of the highlights of the Women's Golf Association.

Bea and Ernie enjoyed their summers in Cape Cod and their winters in Florida where they made many life long friends. She had an outgoing fun spirit that bonded her with many friends of all ages throughout her life and she cherished those friendships dearly. Bea enjoyed painting, sports and always looked forward to watching the Red Sox, UConn basketball and golf. She was involved in many organizations over her life including, High Hopes, East Hampton Garden Club, American Legion and The Mayflower Society. Her family meant everything to her. She attended many sporting events over the years always cheering on her grandchildren and many of their friends.

Bea was predeceased in death by her husband, Ernie, in 1997. She is survived by her three children, Barbara Free and her husband Steve, Bill Anderson, Jane Bolles and her husband Keith. She also leaves nine grandchildren, Nicholas Free and wife Tiffany, Kimberly Keil and husband Ken, Christopher Anderson and partner Kristin Cobb, Ryan Anderson and wife Casey, Scott Anderson, Jennifer March and husband Patrick, Lindsey Bolles, Kara Bolles and fiancée Luke Goodermote, and Keith Bolles and wife Beth. Her eight great grandchildren. Anderson, Holden and Catcher Free, Henry, Elise and Avery Keil, Logan and Parker Anderson were the light of her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CT Special Olympics, 2666 State Street Suite 1, Hamden, CT 06517 or you can visit www.specialolympicsct@soct.org.

The family is planning a celebration of Bea's life later this summer at Blackledge CC. 

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