Margaret (Scolari) Andersen, 95, transitioned to her heavenly home on Tuesday, April 14 at the Mount Saint Vincent Care Center in Holyoke, MA. She was born in Springfield, MA on January 7, 1925 and lived here most of her life. She attended Mt. Caramel Church and graduated from Trade High School in Springfield. During her teenage years, Margaret developed her vocal skills and sang as a gifted opera coloratura. Her first job was sewing handmade leather purses. In 1941, Margaret met her future husband, Lester (Andy) Andersen at a USO dance in Springfield. At the time he was stationed at Westover Airforce Base in Chicopee prior to his departure to Europe during WWII. After several years of prayerful waiting for Andy’s safe return from the war, Margaret and Andy were married in August 1945 in Springfield. The couple moved to Portland, Oregon (Andy’s home state) for a few years before returning to Springfield in 1950 with two children. A few years later, their a third child was born in Springfield. Lester and Margaret became founders and owners of Andersen and Scolari, Inc (general contractors, now owned and operated by their sons). Margaret worked as the bookkeeper and secretary for their company for 32 years. Margaret was a dedicated wife and loving mother to her 3 children, her Italian immigrant parents and physically challenged brother and cherished her 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Margaret was an accomplished seamstress and crafter. She could do everything from hand madeclothing, crochet, knit and produced various types of creative crafts. She enjoyed fashion and always coordinated her clothing ensembles with impeccable taste from head to toe. Margaret also enjoyed interior design and with her husband, designed and built a beautiful home on Bass Pond in Sixteen Acres. She loved decorating her home for every occasion and a holiday did not go by without the appropriate decorations inside and out. Over the course of 40 years, she assembled, decorated and completely furnished a 12 room, miniature scale Victorian doll house that is now on display at the Mt. St. Vincent Care Center. Margaret and her doll house were featured on a Channel 22 News segment in 2019 and was her most treasured accomplishment. Over the years, she has enjoyed family time at their lake house on Little Alum Lake in Brimfield and loved traveling anywhere, anytime with her husband and family. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Lester Edward (Andy) Andersen, her parents, Frank and Rose Scolari and her brother, Paul Scolari, all from Springfield. She is survived by a daughter, Andrea Andersen Nelson (Kurt) of East Bethel, MN; two sons, Robert Andersen (Suzanne) of East Longmeadow, MA; Thomas Andersen (Betty) of Brimfield, MA; four grandchildren – Lisa Nelson Delich (Thomas) of Andover, MN; Carrie Nelson Mostrom (Jeremiah) of Richmond, TX; Julie Andersen of Honolulu, HI; Robert Andersen, Jr. of Brimfield, MA; six great grandchildren – Devin, Jessa, Avery and Casey Delich of Andover, MN; Brandon Andersen of Somers, CT; Sadie Mostrom of Richmond, TX. Also surviving are a sister-in -law, Irene (Andersen) Bennett, brother-in- law, Wayne Andersen from Oregon and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Tazzini Funeral Home, 22 Locust St. Springfield, MA Burial: St. Michael’s Cemetery, Springfield In these unprecedented times, calling hours, Catholic mass and funeral services are not permitted. A family celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made in Margaret’s name to a charity of your choice. Notes to the family are being received by Andrea Nelson, P. O. Box 359, Cedar, MN 55011
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