Vada Anderson

May 30th, 1946 - May 29th, 2009

Vada's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Vada here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

I must say I just Loved this women,
as a 12 year old child she was my 6th grade art teacher and even though i didn;t have much talent for art she always was encouraging with each of my attempts of creativity. She loved the kids always, my daughter was quite inspired by her and when she went through some tough times Veda was always there encouraging her to move forward in life.
Veda was always full of energy and kindness, her house was filled with colors and liveliness just like her. We are going to miss her dearly, even when she was sick she always had positive things to say.
Veda you no longer suffer, I know you had much pain in the many years behind you, you are finally at rest and freed of your burdening Pain. Love to you and your family and friends who will deeply miss you. Julie Holtsclaw and family

Julie Holtclaw

Ms. Vada,

Today I look out my window to a sun rising on a more lonely world now that your spark has gone from it. You taught me the deeper meaning of beauty in the world around me and gave me a gift that surpasses the fragile existance we must muddle through day to day. I am a painter. I am an artist because of the eyes you taught me to see through.

I see the violet hues, the beams of amber jeting from behind the morning clouds on a backdrop of white and blue, and in them find peace, and a tranquillity unknown to most of man because the hands you helped train know how to capture this moment for the world to remember.

The skills you honed in me, though appreciated, are by far not the only piece of you I'll be taking with me on my road of life. To me you were also a friend, a mentor, and one of the lasting and deepest engrained memories I have. The loft you let me have, the assignments you never gave me, the sanctuary you afforded me, the conversation and laughter still ring in my ears...and will be sorely missed.

I understand that you were sick, that your body needed rest. Seeing you in pain broke my heart to the core, and knowing that your beautiful soul has finally found peace brings me the only solice in this otherwise tragic end to a life colored so brightly.

I'll always remember your cat, punkin who, aside from your adoring husband, was the one true companion you ever had. I'll remember the long conversations about life and how the small town mentality of Watervliet was more a disease than a cure to the already small minded. I'll always remember you singing off key as we entered the room (bunga-bunga, Vada, bunga-bunga). I'll remember that even when times hit you the hardest, you never stopped smiling. The image of you is something no one could ever forget. Loud patterned shirts on top of multicolored pants, with a neck and hands adorned with an array of jewels and tokens. Most importantly though, I'll never forget the way you cared for, and loved your students...doing for us things no teacher had ever done before. You gave a piece of you away with every new person you met, yet the well never ran dry.

I love you, and you will always hold a special place in my heart

Trav, watervliet HS, 97-01

Travis Rick Mack

Dear Miss Vada Bo Bada,
I will never forget how you gave me room all to myself to "try" and fix that monstrosity I was "trying" to make so that no one would laugh at me...and I remember how, when it was "finished" you told me, well, "maybe drawing isn't your thing honey, try this" and, 3 months later, I finally finished crafting "the cutest coffee cup you had ever seen" lol. I came into your art class because it was a grade I "had to have" to graduate and left your art class with a new understanding of art and the world in which beauty lives. I will always cherish Bopsey the bunny that you gave me the day I graduated, and the visits to your studio many times after. You were truly a kind soul and I know that heaven has one more angel. A wildly dressed, quite opinionated angel, but wings nonetheless. Thanks you for all the wonderful memories, even though I only went to Watervliet for one year, it was the best year of HS ever and you class was the only one I never skipped out on. You actually let me "skip" other classes by sitting in your class and helping you. you realized that socializing was hard for me, and you kept me safe. Remember when I was etching that FOX logo onto that mirror and got acid on my hand and wiped my eye and you had to take me to the hospital and call my mom for me while they rinsed my out for like and hour????? Wow, what a day and then you too me to Burger King. I love you Miss Vada & so will GOD.

xoxoxo
Heather Bo Bether

Heather Evans-Krukowski

Vada? Where do I begin? She was the best teacher I ever had. I didn't need her class for a credit, I already had Choir, but I just had to meet this zany, wacky, beautiful woman. And I am so glad I did. She opened our eyes to a whole new vibrant world. I remember spending time with her in the summer even when school had ended. I remember meeting her at the Waffle House for breakfast before school, and there was nothing else that could get me out of bed that early. I remember when I sold Avon and told her that the blue eyeliner she liked was being discontinued and she bought 8 of them. Wow. I can't believe she's gone. She is an angel now in Heaven and the Lord is lucky to have her. She will be dearly missed but she's no longer in pain.

Tricia Krogel-Cole

I was so upset when I read the paper this morning and found out my dear, dear friend had passed away. I had planned to visit her this summer and was thinking about her on her birthday. My card probably did not get there in time. She was an awsome inspiration of foritude and compassion. She loved children most of all and called them her kids. Vada was a great lady and a one of a kind, talented lady. Her generousity and laughter will be long remembered. Her passing has left a big hole in my heart. Mary Anne Claywell

Mary Anne Claywell

Miss Vada was creativity personified. She would show us how to do something but if we modified it to make it work better or get better results, she would want us to show her. She was never afraid to learn from her students as well as teach them. It empowered us and we loved Miss Vada anyhow but it endeared her to us more. She has always been in my thoughts because she was such a colorful, forthright woman and I always will remember her rings that she wore. God Bless you and yours during this sad time.

Heather Gitersonke Nielson

Vada, you and I have been friends for many years. We both taught in the same school system and had a good time eating out and shopping. Later on I moved to Glenn and you came to the United Methodist Church. We always had things to do together. You always had a smile and a laugh for the occasion.
I will miss you a great deal. We had talked about getting together when the weather got better. I know that you are at peace still using all your creative talents and help others.
Love You !!!

Helen Zychowicz Hutchins

Vada and Family,
Vada was the best teacher I ever had and probably ever will have. She was all about fun, as long as we got our work done, but we got to have fun while we were doing it. Vada gave me something to look forward to when going to school, knowing that I would have some excitment and fun for the day. Because of Vada art has became a big part of my life and always will be. She encouraged me to try harder when I thought it was time to give up, and in the end everything turned out perfect with her help. Her crazy, fun, caring personaly will never be forgotten. Vada was a wonderful artist, a great teacher, and a best friend. She will be greatly missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with Vada and family.

Chelsea Abel

Oh how my heart is hurts at this news. Vada was more than a teacher to me. I had her first in 7th grade and remained in her class till the day I left school. I was Vada's teachers assitant for 6 years from 1979-1984.We remained friends even after I left scool. She was at my wedding. Her first husband Bernie performed my marrage. I remember going to her home when Vada lived on North Shore Drive. Meeting her mother and father. Helping her move out of the townhome Vada later lived in. Helping her rip the wall out of a small home along the lake michigan.We laughed so hard at the dust that would get in her hair. Although our lives grew apart, Times I had not seen her for years. Vada was a true friend and Stellar teacher few could hold a candle to. Vada always demanded your best you could give and if she felt she was not getting it she would let you know. Vada always gave her best.I remember her calling me from the Hospital telling me she had just had cancer surgery. I began to cry on the phone instead of me comforting her she comforted me. Vada was the best. I'm sure she is surounded by lots and lots of diamonds with diamond sudded angel wings. I will miss you forever.

Jon Moore

Dear Gwennie and Jo and Family -

Dick sent the notice of Vada's passing along to me. Just know that I am thinking of you and sending prayers for all. I will always remember growing up with our families living next to each other and all the ways our lives touched each other. Joe - thanks for all your support of Michelle when she came to Scott's funeral. She really felt supported by you. Blessings in at this time of loss. Vada was a wonderful woman and teacher!!

Laurie Levon

Laurie Levon

miss vada was my favorite instructor throughout highschool. she was so kind and loving, she also had a great sense of humor. miss vada was my teacher for two years-sophomore and junior, before she retired in 2006 due to health problems. i missed her so much, but i think i was scared to find her and visit her because i didn't want to be hurt by seeing her sick. now, i wish i would have had the courage to see her again. i remember the last day that i saw her, the last day of my junior year. i looked up to her, she gave me confidence and hope that i could put my talents to some sort of use. i remember that she had a small heart tattoo by her thumb on her hand, i always looked at it when she would demonstrate a project for the class. i would really like to get the same tattoo in her memory, because i miss her so much,and i want her to always be close to me. thank you miss vada, you were more important to me than you could have ever known.
-hayley ann- watervliet, MI

hayley ann burtchett

I remember the time spent with Miss Vada painting the ceramic masks in class. She was always so patient when it came to the detail of a face with the eyes and eye lashes. Still to this day I have the two masks that she did the eyes on herself for me. I took what I learned from her and share it with my own kids, ages 13 and 15. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and Miss Vada you will be missed. We all will see you again some day in heaven. Dawn (West) Pecoraro WHS C/O 1993

Vada Anderson

Vada's Memory Wall

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