Deborah Anderson

Deborah Gae Lauder (Anderson) was born 7 July 1944, to her parents Alda “Elsie” Schutz Lauder and Donald Calhoun Lauder in Fresno, California.
Deb was a registered nurse for the state of California. She had many interesting tales to tell of her experiences– from maternity wards to being a nurse to inmates in California prisons. Deb was a vivacious woman and loved to talk to everyone she saw.  She had a special soft spot in her heart for all children and dogs cats. She was generous to a fault and never hesitated to share all she could. She had a wonderful smile and a strong determined spirit.
Deb overcame many obstacles. She was widowed twice and lost both of her natural born daughters to death many years earlier. In 2006 she had deteriorating health and moved to live with her niece in Hyde Park, Utah. Deb’s sister, Donna Lee, died the year earlier, and she filled that void by becoming “Grandma Debbie” to her sister’s grandchildren. A blessing for which we are truly thankful!
Deb’s moved to Hyde Park was not an easy one, however. She was unable to bring the majority of her household belongings, and she was also informed that she could not bring her cigarettes with her if she wanted to live there with her Mormon niece. In the words of another niece, Denise, we enjoy glimpses of Deb: ” She had been ill for some time but we thought she still had awhile On this earth. She was a rascal when she was a little girl. She would open Christmas presents before Christmas, so neatly, that no one knew she had opened them until she got caught. She was my mother’s only sister. When I was a little girl she bought me school clothes when my mom couldn’t afford to. She faced so many trials in her life from having her first husband murdered, to the loss of both her daughters and a stepson. After my mother died, I brought her to live with my sister Christine in Hyde Park. All along the way, I threw away cigarettes because she had to quit smoking to live with my sister. Eventually, my aunt accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ and was baptized. It is hard to break old habits but she was a determined woman. I will miss her, but I am so happy that her trials are over. What a happy, joyous reunion it must have been to see her mother and father, sister, her daughters and all those who loved her. I hope I can face all my trials with the same courage that my dear Aunt Deb had. I look forward to the time when there will be no more tears but only sweet joy at being reunited with her and all of those I love for eternity. “
Her granddaughter Liz writes: “Grandma you stepped in when my mom [Susan Anderson …] died and for that, all I can say is thank you. You taught me how to be this person with a heart of gold but still have that stubborn side. You will always have that special place in my heart and that will never change. I love you to the moon and back grandma.”
On one of the regular family visits to see Grandma Deb at Williamsburg, they found that she was feeling very weak and sick that evening. Despite that, Deb shared comfort with Katherine and Hannah as they gave her a hug goodnight. This is what Katherine wrote in her journal that night of May 27, 2018 “Grandma gave me and Hannah a scripture tonight Psalms 89:21 (” With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him. “)”Katherine also shares a few other memories of Grandma: “She always had coloring books and train sets to play with at her apartment. And she had her cute cats. When I was younger she taught me to embroider. When we visited her she gave us soda and food.” She indeed loved children (as a side note she loved cooking too).
There are so many more things we could say about Deb’s life, both pleasant and unpleasant, but we really want to say thank you to her for her love and generosity. It’s been said that it’s not how you start out, but how you end up that matters. Aunt Deb “Grandma” became sweeter and kinder with age and with her growing testimony of Jesus Christ. Her body was riddled with pain from various types of cancer and other health conditions, but she has concluded her long, painful mortal journey by peacefully slipping away into eternity on the night of June 30th. She is free from mortal bondage and we know that she has been welcomed home into the arms of those who loved her most! You will be missed, dear Debbie!
Monday, July 16, 2018, there will be a viewing from 9:30-10 am at the Cache Valley Mortuary at 80 W. 4200 N. Hyde, Park Utah.
At 10:30 am there will be a graveside service at the Hyde Park Cemetery. Friends of Deb (or of the families) are welcome to attend.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Williamsburg, Rocky Mountain Care, Hospice, Various ward members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (both of Hyde Park and Logan wards), as well as family and friends near and far, for the love and service they have shown Deb and our family along the way. Also a special thank you to Kim J. Godfrey of Cache Valley Mortuary for his kindness and help to us in dealing with her unprepared and unplanned funeral.
Cache Valley Mortuary is located at 80 W. 4200 N. Hyde, Park Utah.  435-787-8514. Please share a favorite memory of Deborah Gae Lauder Anderson, or offer condolences to the family at www.cvmortuary.com