Alexis J. Anderson of Newton and West Tisbury, teacher, mother and wife, died peacefully on Sept. 20. The cause was cancer.

Alexis and her husband were regular visitors to the Vineyard while their two children were young and became part-time West Tisbury residents in 2008. Her plan to become a full-time Vineyard resident following her retirement was interrupted by illness.

She was born in 1951, the only child of the late Wesley E. Anderson and Jane W. Anderson, formerly of Centerville, Del. She received her bachelor’s degree in history from Wake Forest University. After two years of teaching in Georgia public schools, she attended a joint degree program at the University of Virginia, which awarded her a master’s degree in legal history and a law degree in 1978.

She was in private legal practice in Philadelphia, Pa., for five years following law school. In 1983, she became a clinical professor at Boston College Law School. Her academic career principally included serving as a clinical supervisor, and for five years director at the Boston College Legal Services LAB, which provides civil representation to low-income clients in communities around the law school. She also designed and taught first-year experiential courses, directed externship programs and offered courses on professional responsibility and legal history.

Combining her loves of teaching and travel, Alexis led courses in law school and university programs in London, Paris, Beijing and Tashkent. She authored numerous publications and presentations, principally in the field of clinical legal education. Upon retirement in June, 2019, she became an associate clinical professor emerita at Boston College Law School.

Her colleagues described her as a generous and thoughtful leader who was gracious, humble, an adoring mother, compassionate and upbeat.

Apart from teaching and family, her passions were the pursuit of social justice, a love of political dialogue, baking and reading. She delighted in her annual Mother’s Day plunge into the chilly early spring waters of Lambert’s Cove, which began with a challenge from her older daughter. By summer, her routines included swimming laps along the beach, trips to farmers’ markets and sending progress reports on the local nesting osprey pair to her daughters.

Alexis is survived by her husband of 35 years, Alexander A. Notopoulos Jr.; their two daughters, Andrea (Andy) and Margaret (Maggie) Notopoulos; and a sister in law, Patricia Notopoulos.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Donations can be made in to Boston College Law School for the benefit of the Boston College Legal Services LAB (BC Law Advancement Office, Cadigan Alumni Center, 2121 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA 02135, or at www.bc.edu/givelaw, selecting “Other” and designating Law-BC Legal Services LAB under “I wish to make my gift to”).