Victoria Anderson

Victoria D. Anderson, 69 of Cedar Rapids, succumbed to lymphoma on March 8 in Clinton, Iowa. A memorial gathering will be held at the Mason City Room of the Mason City Public Library on Wednesday March 12, between 3 and 6 pm. All who wish to remember her are invited to attend. Victoria was born in New York City on November the 8th 1938, to Mary Josephine Kerby and Dr. John C. Driscoll. She was joined by a brother Jonathan in 1944. After WWII, the Driscolls settled in Independence, Iowa. Victoria graduated from Independence High in 1957. While attending the University of Iowa she met Michael Anderson. The two married and moved to Northern Virginia, where they had two sons, Connor (1965) and Ian (1968) before divorcing in 1975. Victoria and her sons then moved to Iowa. Victoria completed her Masters of Social Work at the University of Iowa. While there she met and married Merlin Rae Schaefer. The family then moved to Rockwell, Iowa in 1976, where Victoria began her career at the North Iowa Mental Health Center. She and Mr. Schaefer divorced in 1979 and Victoria moved to Mason City in 1986. Victoria was a much respected therapist and a dear colleague. Throughout her career she was active in helping the victims of domestic abuse and also diligent in fighting its causes. She wrote occasionally for the Mason City, Globe Gazette and was well known in the region for her expertise on these issues. In her free time she was a member of the board of the Mason City Public Library and traveled extensively in North America and Europe. Victoria loved her pets. Among the dearest were her cats Pooh and Blossom, and her German shepherd, Seiger. Victoria was preceded into death by her parents in 1992 and by her ex-husband, Michael in 2001. She is survived by her sons, Connor of Clinton, Iowa and Ian of Wroclaw, Poland, her brother Jonathan of Las Vegas and her dear friend of thirty years, Bobbie Hurst of Vashon, Washington. "Nana" also is survived by five beloved grandchildren, Mary "Molly" (10), Krystian (8), Liam (8), Josephine (6), and Viktor (3). She will be greatly missed by Jean Bonner, Leslie Kerr and Catherine Basile of Cedar Rapids, as well as by Susan Garber of Independence. All of whom were of great friendship and immeasurable aide in the last years of her life. In lieu of flowers, Ms. Anderson would wish that gifts be made either to the Mason City Public Library or to Clinton YWCA Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Center. Snell-Zornig Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.snellzornig.com.

Victoria Anderson

November 9, 1938 - March 8, 2008