Joyce Nesbitt Anderson

Joyce Nesbitt Anderson, 92, of Hot Springs Village, Ark. died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home. She was born in Dunville, Ontario, Canada on April 30, 1922, the daughter of Rev. Kenneth and Anna Doughty Nesbitt. The family immigrated to the United States where Rev. Nesbitt served as a Methodist minister in Iowa. Joyce, known to all of us as Peg, graduated from Henderson Consolidated School in 1939. Following High School, Peg attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa receiving her Bachelor of Music Degree in 1943 with a major in organ and piano under the mentorship of Sven Lekberg. While at Simpson College, Peg served as President of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and President of Panhellenic. She was also elected for membership in Mu Phi Epsilon National Honorary Society for Music. Following graduation, Peg taught music in the Traer, Shenandoah, and Villisca, Iowa public schools. She also served as a church organist, vocal instructor, and choral director. A gifted musician, she also taught piano and organ. Peg married Dr. William Anderson in Coin, Iowa on July 3,1944 while he was on military leave from the U.S. Army. Throughout her life, Peg has been extremely involved in many civic organizations in Cedar Falls, and Sioux City, Iowa, Hampton, Va., Des Moines, Iowa, and finally in her retirement home in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. She was an active member of PEO, the American Association of University Women, and the PTA. She served on the Sioux City St. Luke's Medical Board, the Board of Directors of the Women's Committee of the Sioux City Symphony and the Sioux City Concert Course. Peg was very active in the Alpha Chi Omega Alumni serving as President of Province XV-North, National Collegiate Program Director from 197-1974, and then serving as National Extension Director. Always passionate about music, she also served on the Des Moines Symphony Board and Symphony Guild. Peg supported Bill in his professional career hosting many civic and social events. She was well known for her gourmet cooking skills and for delivering her specialty baked goods, chocolates, and peanut brittle. Peg enjoyed traveling, attending concerts supporting many of the arts and service organizations, collecting antiques, sewing, decorating, and entertaining their many friends from around the country. She most loved their time together on Lake Cortez. She had the beautiful gift of making everyone feel special and loved in her home. Peg was predeceased by her husband Dr. William Anderson and her siblings, Constance Carson, Allen Nesbitt, and Ellis Nesbitt. She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Munson and husband, Dr. Robert Munson of Bradford, Vermont, Dr. Kerry Anderson of Indianola, Iowa, granddaughters Melissa Myers and husband Ryan, and Jennifer Lammers and husband Chris, and four great-grandchildren, Ella and Harper Myers and Elise and Anderson Lammers. A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday Oct. 18, 2014 at the Presbyterian Kirk of the Pines with the Rev. Bill Bailey officiating. Contributions in her memory may be made to Alpha Chi Omega Memorial Scholarship Fund 5939 Castle Creek Parkway N Dr. Indianapolis, Ind. 46250, Alzheimer's Arkansas 201 Markham Center Dr. Little Rock, Ark. 72205, or The Des Moines Metro Opera, 106 W Boston Ave, Indianola, Iowa 50125. The Gross Funeral Home in Hot Springs, Arkansas is in charge of arrangements.