Jessie R. Anderson

Jessie Rincicotti Anderson, 83, resident of Milford, NH, died April 23, 2016, at her home with the comfort of her family and pets surrounding her. She was born in New London, CT on March 17, 1933, daughter of John H. and Abbie (Cottrell) Rincicotti. Raised and educated in Connecticut, she graduated from Fitch High School in Groton, CT, and Connecticut College, New London, CT, Class of 1955. Jessie was an award winning artist in the Tidewater, VA area. She won many awards for her paintings and sculpture. She taught art to children and adults privately and for schools, civic groups and other organizations. She also mastered and taught a variety of crafts including candle making, stained glass work, and jewelry making. Her work in the art community led to a weekly appearance on a local TV talk show in Norfolk,VA. Initially, she was on the show to talk about her art, but she was such an entertaining guest that it turned into a weekly cooking segment. Jessie put her creative talents to use for several years as the Merchandise Display Manager for the Marine Corps Exchanges in the Norfolk, VA area. She featured one of her sculptures in a display that caught the attention of the Levi Strauss Company who sent her a gift in recognition of the display. In 1977, Jessie moved to Mont Vernon, NH to start the next chapter of her life. She opened Candlewick Antiques. Jessie bought her first antique at 16 years old. She loved building the business with her son John who will continue her legacy. Jessie was a well-known authority on antique Christmas. She lectured on the topic at a variety of venues and published articles. Jessie also proudly served as president of the New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association and considered participating in their premier annual show a high point to her career as an antiques dealer. Jessie had all of these achievements while serving as a Navy wife to Commander Charles L. R. Anderson and raising their two children. She was generous to a fault, a master story teller, creative, entrepreneurial, a great cook, and most especially a loving mother. Family members include a son, John H. Anderson, of Milford, NH; a daughter, Heather A. Anderson, of Waltham, MA; a granddaughter, Morgan Anderson of Milford; a grandson Sean Quinn of Cincinatti, Ohio, and three great-granddaughters. Memorial visiting hours are on Wednesday, May 4th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 5th at 1:00 p.m. in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jessie Rincicotti Anderson, ‘55 to Connecticut College Fund, 270 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT 06320 or online at www.conncoll.edu/giving.