Charlotte Marie (Lehto) Anderson, 94, iconic in style and exceptionally talented in art, died peacefully at her longtime Concord home while surrounded by family on May 21, 2023.
She was the daughter of Stella and August Lehto and sister of Mary Case and Milton Lehto. After growing up in Maynard, she went on to graduate from Mass College of Art. After graduation, she taught art for Concord public schools. She married David Anderson, stock car racer and proprietor of Anderson’s Market. Together, they raised 7 children. Her love of travel inspired her to create The Loft, a retail store of imports above the market.
She continued on to earn a master’s degree in art therapy from Simmons College. Once the children had grown, she turned the family home into a bed-and-breakfast featured on This Old House, hosted by Bob Vila. She was so successful that she had to turn down George Bush when he requested a reservation.
Her artwork was prolific including watercolors, oils, sculpture and jewelry design. Her last painting at age 90, was of motif #1, expressing her love of the north shore. She was daring, with a witty sense of humor. She loved to provide a spread of food for guests that would make Julia Child envious. She took flying lessons, hoping to pilot her own plane one day. Her pride of those she had encountered throughout her life constituted her “Wall of Fame”. This included Keith Richards, David Carradine, Bobby Orr, Bill Cosby, among many others. Often, she ventured out to collect wild mushrooms and believed they held the remedy to many ailments. She was an absolute diamond with many facets.
Her husband, David, brother, Milton and daughter, Lori, predeceased her. She leaves behind her daughters, Janice Anderson, Bonnie Jacobellis, Beverly Anderson, Jennifer Floyd, Donna Dahlke, and son, David Anderson and his wife Karen Frost Anderson, her son in law, Chris Stevens, 27 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, along with many well loved nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for visiting hours on Thursday, June 8th from 5 to 7 pm in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. Burial services at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord will be private.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in Charlotte’s online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
