The George School community is mourning the loss of an extraordinary alumna, Barbara Dodd Anderson ’50, who passed away peacefully on November 26, 2010. A leading independent school philanthropist, Barbara played a significant role in supporting the faculty and students of George School for over two decades.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to have known Barbara, and for the very many things she did for George School,” said Head of School Nancy Starmer. “She set an extraordinary example of a humble and generous life.”

Barbara’s gifts to George School include the largest single donation ever given to an existing U.S. independent school, a charitable lead annuity trust in the amount of $128.5 million, which she donated in 2007. The gift made national headlines and earned Barbara the thirteenth spot on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s “Philanthropy 50” list that year.

Barbara supported George School in a number of other ways. She established the David LeFevre Dodd Teaching Chair in honor of her father, a distinguished member of the Columbia University faculty who served as Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Business. She created the Barbara Dodd Anderson ’50 Scholarship, which provides tuition aid to students who embody the principles of social involvement, respect for others, and a commitment to academic excellence. She contributed generously to the renovations of Main building that were completed in 2003. In addition, Barbara provided the leadership gift towards the Mollie Dodd Anderson Library, a building that opened in 2009. She named the library in honor of her young granddaughter, an avid reader.

George School publicly honored Barbara for her outstanding support and loyalty with a 2008 Alumni Award, and at the October 2009 dedication ceremony for the Anderson Library. Barbara attended the dedication with her granddaughter, son, and daughter-in-law, along with her accountant, Edwin Huff, who is now a member of the school’s governing board, and her longtime friend, businessman and philanthropist Warren Buffett.

Barbara received a BS in psychology from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and an MA from Columbia University in New York City. Her late husband, John S. Anderson, was president of Associated Brass Products, and she considered their marriage “a match made in heaven.” They both loved to travel to England, where they enjoyed exploring antique shops and appreciating the art and architecture of that country.

Barbara was an elementary school teacher before she started her family. She later taught Sunday school for her church. In recent years, the activity that Barbara enjoyed most was gardening, especially since she grew up as a city child.

For Barbara, George School provided a family away from home where she saw people who were involved in many things, but who were never too busy to give individual attention. She expressed great admiration for the way in which George School instills a strong work ethic in students and prepares them academically for college. She cherished the memories of her days as a George School student and cited “a kindness and generosity about the faculty and the students.” She held a deep regard for the caring manner and high academic standards exemplified by her teachers.

Barbara is survived by two children—Gail and David—a daughter-in-law Elisabeth, and her granddaughter, Mollie. The Anderson family plans to hold a private memorial service in January.