Margit Andersson
March 27, 1913-Sept. 1, 2015
Margit Andersson, age 102, a Homer vacationer and later Homerite for three and a half years, died peacefully on Sept. 1, 2015, at South Peninsula Hospital. She was the daughter of Ole and Helene Hillestad, born in Aas, Norway, on March 27, 1913.
Margit was one of the first women licensed to drive in Norway, and was an avid Nordic skier in the mountains near Lillehammer, Norway. She received an education in hotel management and culinary arts, after which she worked at hotels in Norway, and in 1947 at the Curtis Hotel in Minnesota. During World War II Norway was occupied by the Germans from 1940-45, throughout which Margit and her family endured many hardships.
In 1950 Margit came to New York City, where she met Waldemar Bror Andersson of Malmo, Sweden. Margit and Waldemar married in 1951 and settled in New Canaan, Conn., in 1960, where they lived for 50 years and raised their two sons, Ole and Lars.
Margit was interested in many things and had an inquisitive way about her. She always kept active and enjoyed gardening, reading, dancing, baking, sewing and stitching traditional Norwegian needlepoint, as well as knitting intricately patterned Norwegian sweaters. One of Margit’s hand sewn and embroidered traditional Norwegian dresses was displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
She enjoyed conversations with relatives and friends. Margit was active with The Sons of Norway, and was a past president of the VASA Order of America in Connecticut. She took part in senior activities. She kept up on current events, liked taking history classes and enjoyed an exceptional life.
Margit took frequent trips to Alaska to visit her son Ole and his wife Jinky, and in her earlier years traveled often to Norway for family visits. In her 100th year she became a member of the Kachemak Nordic Ski Club’s “Century Club,” after strapping on skis one more time. She also received a surprise visit from her Norwegian niece, Brit Hillestad, and a birthday card from King Harald V of Norway. This past May she personally met King Harald V when he visited Homer.
Margit was predeceased by her husband, Waldemar, in 1998. She is survived by her two sons, Ole and his wife Jinky (Jane) Handy of Homer, Lars and his wife Marian and their children, Nils and Jon Andersson, all of New Canaan, Conn., and her many Norwegian relatives.
“Although Margit had challenges with aging over the past year, she maintained her sense of humor. She was loved by her family and friends, touching the hearts of many people over the course of her long life. Her last years in Homer were happy and comfortable, thanks to her friends, skilled caregivers, medical staff and Hospice of Homer. It takes a village. Thank you, Homer,” her family said.
According to Margit’s wishes, her memorial service and burial will be held in Norway.