Joan Kylen (Kendrick) Anderson (“Joey”), age 92, went quietly to her Lord on May 28, 2024, surrounded by her family at her home in Maris Grove, Glen Mills, PA.
Joan was a Wilmington native, born November 30, 1931, daughter of the late Walter and Martha (Davis) Kylen. Joan attended P.S. DuPont High School, graduating in 1949, and later attended Goldey-Beacom College where she earned a degree in business. She worked at the DuPont Experimental Station after graduating from Goldey-Beacom, at Gulf Oil in Pittsburgh, then in Wilmington as secretary to Steve Mockbee in the formative years of Bancroft Construction before joining Sculptor Charles Parks as his office manager and assistant for nearly twenty years, a career she truly loved.
Joan loved socializing with her family and friends, and those times were always marked by her quick laugh, sense of humor and piano playing. At every get together, especially during the holidays, family would gather around her at the piano and sing her favorite carols and hymns.
Joan was a devoted, doting mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family was her greatest joy. She vacationed with them, spent holidays with them and, as family historian, shared stories of her Swedish ancestors and family, something in which she took great pride.
Joan’s life took on new meaning when she married Burton Anderson in 1990. Always adventurous, Joan traveled with Burt to Iceland, England, Hawaii and Alaska. At Burt’s side, she learned to fly fish, which she enjoyed when travels allowed but especially in Maine, where she summered with Burt throughout their marriage. She often remarked that Burt was the love of her life.
A gifted pianist and organist, over the years Joan served as organist at Faith Presbyterian Church, Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, and Methodist Country House. For nearly twenty years, Joan played the piano for the Sante Lucia celebration held annually at Old Swedes Church, Wilmington, Delaware, and she was a lifelong member of the American Guild of Organists. In high school, Joan was the organist at P.S. DuPont High School and played piano with a swing ensemble on WDEL radio. Throughout her life Joan was often asked to play for weddings and funerals in the greater Wilmington area. More recently, Joan performed in musical productions at Maris Grove, where she moved with her husband Burton in 2010. Frequently, residents would ask her to leave her front door open so that they could enjoy the sound of her playing piano in her living room as they passed in the hall.
Joan was predeceased by her husband of 24 years, Burton Anderson, who died in 2014; her brother, Jeff; sister, Betty; and oldest daughter, Debbie Bonkowski (Mike). She is survived by her two daughters, Patty Colletto (Chuck), and Susan Kendrick VanDixhorn (Graham), stepdaughter Sarah Murray (Darrel) and stepson Carl Anderson (Cathleen), eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held on June 18 at the Chapel at Maris Grove, Glen Mills, PA. Visitation starts at 2:30 followed by the service at 3:00. Interment will follow at Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Maris Grove Scholar’s Fund.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
