Eleanor T. Anderson, age 82, died September 10, 2011 at the Pines in Rutland following a brief illness. She was born February 1, 1929 in Castleton the daughter of the late Charles & Esther (Borcsik) Toth. She grew up on the family farm, keeping up with her older sisters Ethel, Margaret, Mathilda and Bessie and playing in the fields and woods with her younger sister, Alvera. She fondly remembered accompanying her older sisters as they made their milk deliveries into Rutland. She also recalled lively gatherings of the Hungarian community in the area at her parents house, which included the occasional gypsy family passing through. The family moved into downtown Castleton in her youth where Tootsie (as she was known by her family) developed her keen appreciation of history. She graduated from West Rutland High School in 1947. She married Ellis A. Anderson in 1952 at the Castleton Federated Church and moved to his familys farm. Besides helping out on the farm, she worked as a secretary at Russell Construction for a number of years. Driven by her life-long love of teaching and learning, she returned to school at Castleton State College, graduating in 1959. Shortly thereafter she began her teaching career as an elementary school teacher at Rutlands new Southeast School, where she quickly established her reputation as an innovative and dedicated teacher. Following the birth of her first child, Eric in 1962, she took a break from teaching and began the process of educating Eric and his younger brother Karl who was born a year later. It did not take her long to establish a kindergarten for Castleton students which she ran out of her basement for a number of years until the Town followed her lead and offered a kindergarten for all children as part of its school program. Ellie taught part time and as a substitute teacher for many years while her own boys were in school. Once they were established in high school, she resumed teaching full time at Castleton Elementary School in 1980. She created a program for Gifted and Talented Students at Castleton Elementary which over the years developed into an innovative computer lab program at a time when few other elementary schools had recognized the importance of computer technology taught at the grade school level. Ellie led many field trips and adventures for her students and fellow teachers, from trips to the Northshire Museum and Boston Museum of Science to more exotic activities like whale watches and overnight stays at the old Cape Cod Coast Guard station in Eastham, Massachusetts. Ellie was recognized by the University of Vermont College of Education which presented her with the Outstanding Vermont Teacher Award in 1994. On the occasion of her 70th birthday she was honored by her fellow teachers and the school board who renamed the computer lab and dedicated it as the Eleanor Anderson Technology Center. She also found time to teach Introductory Computer courses at Castleton State College. She retired from teaching at Castleton Elementary in 2003. She continued to teach computers even in her retirement, devoting many hours to an introductory computer course to her many friends at the Castleton Community Center. Her dedication to this work led to an award by Governor Douglas in 2009 which was presented to her at a ceremony in the State House. Ellie was proud of her background and accomplishments but her greatest joy was her six grandchildren who made her light up when she saw them and when she recounted their many adventures to her friends. She loved her birds that visited her every day at the feeder and also her beloved Boston Terrier, Oreo. In addition to teaching and her family, Ellie was very active in politics, community affairs and the Castleton Womens Club. She served on the Castleton Selectboard for a number of years and served on the Board of Adjustment and as a Justice of the Peace. The highlight of her Justice of the Peace career was officiating over the marriage of her son Eric to his wife, Ali Hon-Anderson at the Castleton College Chapel. Ellie had a lifetime love of learning and teaching which extended to everyone who knew her. Her keen wit and gentle wisdom will be missed by those who came to rely upon it even in her final years. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Ellis and her sisters Margaret, Ethel, Bessie, Mathilda and Vera as well as her brother-in-law Chester and her nephew Henry Hammond. She is survived by her sons, Eric Ellis Hon-Anderson & his wife Ali, of Bedford, Massachusetts and their children, Maxfield & Isabel. Karl Chester Anderson & his wife Carolyn, of Rutland and their children David, Stephen, Elizabeth and Joseph. She is also survived by several nephews and her sister-in-law Marjorie Anderson. The family would like to thank the staff at the Pines and the fifth floor at the Rutland Hospital for their kindness and attentive care in Eleanors last few months. Also the caregivers and farm kids who helped make her last summer in her own home enjoyable and special. Finally thank you to all of her friends and family who called and visited to share memories of their times together with our mom. Everyone was a source of great comfort and hope to her. Visiting hours will be held on Monday September 12, 2011 at the Ducharme Funeral Home located at 1939 Main Street in Castleton from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday September 13, 2011 at 11 A.M. at the Ducharme Funeral Home Inc. The Rev. Robert Noble Pastor of the Castleton Federated Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Castleton Elementary School Mosaic Program, the Worldwide Wildlife Foundation, or the Castleton Womens Club. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ducharme Funeral Home