Gunilla Elisabeth Anderson

Gunilla Anderson, 71, of Ithaca, NY passed away unexpectedly on April 17th 2021 at Cayuga Medical Center due to a brain hemorrhage.

Gunilla grew up in the industrial town of Hallstahammar, Sweden, born in 1950 to Rune and Alice Sjoman, predeceasing her.  Gunilla was athletic and loved nature from a young age; she enjoyed handball, riding bikes, camping, and swimming.  Graduating from Hallstahammar Gymnasium in 1969, Gunilla went on to earn a Masters in Landscape Architecture at the Institute of Landscape Planning at the Agricultural College of Sweden, Lund and Uppsala.  During summers Gunilla worked for the park administration in Hallstahammar.  After her schooling, she moved to the U.S. with her late ex-husband, Bruce Anderson, and lived in Berkeley, CA while Bruce finished his doctoral studies.  She started her career in landscape architecture in San Francisco at Richard Schadt Associates before moving to Ithaca in 1978 when Bruce began employment at Cornell University.  Gunilla worked at Levatich and Hoffman PC in Ithaca until deciding to become a full time mother with the birth of her daughter Kristina and son Philip.  She developed close friendships with the Swedish community in Ithaca and returned to Sweden often, taking her children every summer.  As her children grew older, Gunilla, an avid gardener, started her own gardening business.  While Gunilla has left her mark on dozens of gardens around Ithaca; she loved nothing more than “puttering around” her own garden and had begun doing so more as she slowly eased into retirement.  More recently, Gunilla opened her home to AirBnB guests and enjoyed meeting people that traveled to Ithaca from all over the world.

Gunilla was most passionate about her children, grandchildren, gardens, dogs, and fitness routine.  A lifelong caretaker; Gunilla was generous with her time and demonstrated simple acts of kindness.  A dedicated member of FLX Fitclub in Ithaca, Gunilla continued to attend classes virtually throughout the pandemic; even traveling with her weights when visiting her out-of-state grandkids.  She will be remembered for her hard work ethic, fierce independence, Swedish sensibilities, and cheerful spirit.

Gunilla is survived by her daughter Kristina Anderson (Samuel McNutt) and their son Olson and daughter Talia; son Philip Anderson (Janae) and their sons Erik and baby due in June; brother Anders Sjoman (Anja) and their sons Magnus (Jessica) and Marcus and grandson Oscar.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to SPCA of Tompkins County or the American Red Cross.
A celebration of life service will be held on August 6th, starting at Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University at 1 pm, followed by refreshments at the family home.