Janine Lynn Anderson

Janine Lynn Anderson age 56 of Maryville died Saturday, May 2, 2009 at Blount Memorial Hospital. She was born in Oneonta (Upstate), NY to Richard and Jean (Dunham) Collins along with her brother, Richard Collins, Jr. Janine was a very outspoken activist for the sick, dying and deceased former workers from nuclear complexes across the United States. She was the National Outreach Coordinator for the Coalition for a Healthy Environment (CHE), founding board member for the Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocacy Groups (ANWAG) and one of nine people from across the United States chosen to serve on the Advisory Committee for the Cold War Patriots (CWP). Janine, a former employee of the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (K-25) suffered from a multitude of illnesses attributed to her exposures received while working there. She was known as "a sick former worker, working for you", Janine worked relentlessly to help others receive their deserved compensation. Janine has been involved for approximately 12 years fighting for just and fair compensation for others. She was in Washington D.C. the day President Clinton signed into law the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Janine continued to spend many hours in D.C. each year talking with Congressmen and Senators, Building a lasting relationship with many persons in Washington D.C. Janine had a dream to see a National Day of Remembrance for sick and deceased nuclear workers, also known as Cold War Veterans, those persons who did their part at home to support the war effort. Janine shared her dream with the Cold War Patriot and its parent organization Professional Case Management, who then started the movement which commenced with a kick off at Oak Ridge, TN with the signing of a 40 foot banner which will be carried across the United States to gather signatures in support of this effort. The banner will be carried back to Oak Ridge, TN around September 2009 before it is taken to Washington D.C. The U.S. Senator, Lamar Alexander (Rep-TN) will sponsor the bill which has been requested to bear Janine's name. Janine's journey led her to many places, making lots of friends along the way. Her efforts touched thousands of lives. Though she has gone on to be with our Lord, her legacy will live on always. Janine was also the proud owner of two former businesses in Blount County, TN, The Country Barn Antique and Craft Store and The Country Cupboard Primitives and Folk Art where she built a very loving and loyal clientele of customers. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leland and Frances Collins and Rosalie and Lewis Dunham. Survivors include her loving husband, Richard C. Anderson (Janine is his Princess); daughter, Callie Anne Pierce; father and mother, Richard and Jean Collins; brother, Richard "Ricky" Collins, Jr.; niece, Rachel Collins; special cousins, Wendy Steelhammer and Joann Dunham; step-son and wife, Chris and Nina Anderson; step-daughter, Dr. Delaine Anderson; sister-in-law, Bette Ratledge; niece, Nikki Daffron Smith; and her "adoptive Tennessee family", Monica Aistrop, Carol Thomas, Ruth Swift and David Swift; also special friend, Debra Garner; her other special friends were her doggies, Tyke, Puppy, Gracie, and Blazer. Family and friends will assemble at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Grandview Cemetery for the interment with Rev. Keith Johnson officiating. Following the graveside, service family and friends will return to the Smithview Pavilion and Event Center for a Celebration of Life Service allowing family and friends to relate their experiences with Janine. Memorial donations may be made to The Janine Anderson Memorial , PO Box 213, Alcoa, TN 37701. Family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Janine Lynn Anderson please visit our Sympathy Store.