Champion for Marian Mary Joy Anderson

Story by Susan Macaitis Rosenlof ’82

With the passing of Mary Joy Anderson on July 24, 2023, Marian remembers a lifelong friend who shaped our community and campus.

Mary Joy and her husband Tal Anderson, who died in 2009, were partners and champions for the Marian community for over 40 years. They believed in the value of single-gender, faith-based education and worked tirelessly to spread the word about Marian within the Omaha community and beyond. Their commitment to the Marian mission was unmatched and their impact will be felt for generations.

Between Mary Joy and Tal, they served on the board of directors; led capital campaigns for school improvements; served as honorary chairs for many other campaigns; and provided lead gifts for the performing arts center, Confident Campaign and the outdoor athletic complex. In addition, they established Marian as the beneficiary of the Lexus Champions for Charity Golf Tournament now in its 29th year.

While on our board, Mary Joy worked to increase the number of people participating in the Marian Society; they led by example, named Marian as a beneficiary in their personal estate plan and asked others in their large network of friends to do the same. Mary Joy was especially proud of the Mary Joy and Tal Anderson Performing Arts Center, Marian’s state-of-the-art facility and was able to see her grandson, Peter, a Prep student, perform there as part of Marian productions.

In addition to Marian, Mary Joy held leadership positions with St. Margaret Mary Church & School, Child Saving Institute, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Omaha Symphony and others. Mr. Anderson cofounded a local chapter of the Children’s Scholarship Fund, served on several UNO boards and was a long-serving member of the Boys Town Board of Directors.

Both of their daughters attended Marian - Lisa Anderson '84 and Angie Anderson Quinn '87. Perhaps we can credit young Lisa for initially engaging her parents with Marian. “There was no question - I was going to an all-girls school,” recalls Lisa, “and I really wanted to expand my container at a bigger school, so it was a pretty easy choice.” After seeing all that her sister was involved in, Angie followed a few years later. “All I knew was that I wanted the experience that Lisa was having,” said Angie.

For both girls, the opportunities that Marian presented made a lifetime impression.

“Marian had a great sample platter, and you found things you didn't think you'd be interested in. They challenged you academically to be better in every single class. And challenged you to live outside your box with all their offerings,” said Angie.

“My parents had two daughters, one extrovert and one introvert, and they saw how Marian could take two parts of the continuum and meet the needs of both of us. When Mom and Dad saw that they knew, 'Wow, they're doing something in an exceptional way,’” said Lisa.

While their daughters were at Marian, Tal and Mary Joy dove into the Marian community, and their commitment grew through the years. They believed in the momentum and potential of Marian and wanted to ensure its longevity and reputation in the community.

According to Angie, her mom recognized the barriers women could face in being leaders, in having a voice and in pay equity, and through Marian, she saw an ongoing opportunity to make an impact.

“Mom was very intentional. And that's probably why they did the golf tournament, FEST, Marian board and Marian Moms. She was so fiercely protective of making sure Marian was always the best,” recalled Lisa.

“You know,” said Lisa, “Marian was her favorite.”

“It was. It’s not like that was a secret,” added Angie.

For the Anderson children, Lisa, Angie and their brother Mickey, it’s important to carry on the family tradition of servant leadership. Among their many causes and commitments, Marian remains a favorite. Lisa will be joining the Marian board, Angie is a past Marian board member and continues to be involved, and Mickey is now a Marian dad with a sophomore daughter and is committed to continuing what his father started with the Lexus/Marian golf tournament. Mary Joy would be proud.