Barbara Anson, 75, of Manhattan and West Hartford, died on July 31, 2012 after a valiant struggle against cancer. She was the daughter of the late Edith and Jack Anson of West Hartford. After graduating from Barnard College, she spent the rest of her life as a resident of Manhattan. Over 25 years as a working actress appearing on camera and voice-over in more than a hundred commercials, and several early films, she also wrote numerous magazine articles, half a dozen books, and several screenplays. A longtime member of the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA, she served two terms on the SAG board of directors. For the past 20 years she taught English as a second language to hundreds of students from various countries. She took great pride and pleasure in her students. She will be missed and not forgotten by her two sisters, Susan Perl of Essex and her husband Michael, and Joan Hurwit of Hartford, and her husband, Albert—–as well as by her many nieces and nephews, who enjoyed her humor, intelligence and her most original approach to them and their lives. In fact they looked upon her as the embodiment of their own Auntie Mame. Graveside services will be private. Calling hours will be from 4-6 p.m. at the Hurwit home, 1076 Prospect Ave., Hartford on Thursday, August 2 and Friday, August 3. She was treated with care and understanding by hospice and the staff at the Hughes Rehabilitation and Health Facility, and her family is most grateful. Donations in Barbara’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of the donor’s choice .