Anna Dickinson Campbell

Anna Dickinson Campbell of Bridgewater died October 4, at the Candlewood Valley Health Center, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. She died one day after her 89th birthday. She was the widow of the late John H. Campbell.

Anna was born on October 3, 1914, at the family homestead on Town Line Road, in Roxbury, daughter of William C. Dickinson and Mary H. Wagner. She attended Bridgewater Center School and New Milford High School. Anna was a direct descendant of Rev Benjamin Ruggles, an early Bridgewater settler and Revolutionary War patriot. She resided on Hut Hill Road in Bridgewater for 65 years, and entered the Candlewood Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center after suffering a stroke in August of 2002.

Anna is survived by three children, Robert J. Campbell of Newtown, and Dorothy H. Fitch and Richard A. Campbell of Bridgewater; two sisters, Hazel Pitcher of Bridgewater and Louise Greene of Middlebury; eight grandchildren, Scott Fitch of Bridgewater, Colin Campbell of New Milford, Deborah Garthwait, Meg Reilly, and Robert B. Campbell of Newtown, Sheryl O’Marra and Brenda Schlosser of Bethel, and Brian Fitch of South Windsor; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by another grandson, Craig Fitch.

Anna and her husband founded a family business, John H. Campbell Services, next to their home in 1946, which still thrives after 57 years. It started as an automotive repair garage and later expanded to include an Allis Chalmers farm and industrial equipment dealership and several brands of lawn and garden equipment. Since John’s death in 1982, their son Richard A. Campbell has continued the business as Campbell Services. Anna was the bookkeeper and secretary for 56 years.

Anna was a charter member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Bridgewater Fire Department. She was also a member of the Roger Sherman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a member of the Bridgewater Historical Society, and a member of the Palm Rebekah Lodge #43, 100F, in New Milford.

Funeral services were held on October 8, at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford. Burial followed at Center Cemetery, Roxbury. Contributions in Anna’s memory may be made to the Women’s Auxiliary of the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 9, Bridgewater, CT 06752.

The Newtown Bee        October 10, 2003