Obituary of Andrea Nicole Anderson

ANDERSON: Andrea Nicole Anderson, November 20, 1983 – April 11, 2015. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dearly loved Andrea, at the age of 31 years, with her family by her side. Andrea was born in Brandon, Manitoba, attending Riverheights from Kindergarten to Grade 8, and graduating from Vincent Massey High School in 2001. Andrea was a loving, caring person, with a great sense of humour, always courteous and thoughtful to others. She made many best friendships throughout school that lasted a lifetime. During high school and after, Andrea enjoyed going to work very much. She had an excellent work ethic, was well respected, and often was happily employed at two businesses at the same time. Many of her cherished friendships began at work. Andrea was very close to her family and friends and loved having fun with them. She was a wonderful listener, intelligent, wise, and sensible. Andrea was an especially empathetic and honourable person, who believed strongly in human and animal rights. Her compassionate nature and love for animals led her to become a committed vegetarian four years ago. Throughout the years, Andrea's family had many pets, and Andrea got great pleasure from taking care of them. In recent years, Andrea's pet miniature poodle Cody and she were inseparable. She had an inherent maternal instinct and loved babies and children. When her niece Loa was born in 2013, Andrea was so proud and quickly became an incredible Auntie. Loa and Auntie Andie spent many days playing and cuddling, and a special bond was formed between them that would last forever. Andrea was also very fond of her friends' children, excited when they came to visit. She enjoyed spending time outside, going to concerts, and attending celebratory events with friends and family. Her loved ones looked up to her as the strongest, most beautiful person they knew. When Andrea was diagnosed with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 21, she showed exceptional bravery. She fought adversity each day to maintain her quality of life and did so with a positive attitude and kind, loving spirit. She accepted her disease but never let it define the person she was. She overcame many challenges, showing admirable courage, patience, and perseverance. Andrea's love could be felt a mile away and her smile would always light up a room. Andrea will always be lovingly remembered by her mother, Eveline Anderson; her father, Derek C. Anderson and step-mother, Patti Anderson; her sister Lisa (Steven) Romanowski and niece Loa; her sister Tricia Anderson, (Jason Alexander); her grandmother, M. Louise Anderson; step-family Elizabeth Tully, Bryna (Sheldon) Demers and step-niece Elaina, Amy (Jared) Young, Lynn (Adam) Tully and step-niece Merida, Madison Tully, Harold Tully (Melissa Dunn) and step-nephews Aiden, Owen, and Connor; her aunts and uncles Diane (Bob) Clarke and Family, Debbie (Russ) Brandt and Family, Danita (Glen) Cosgrove and Family; and Harold (Susan) Scherz and Family. Andrea is predeceased by her grandparents, Mark and Stefanie Scherz, of Oak Lake, Manitoba, and grandfather James Cyril Anderson, of Virden, Manitoba. Andrea's family would like to thank everyone who attended the memorial service in her honour, which was held at Central United Church, on Friday, April 24, 2015. A special thank you to Andrea's close friends, her best friend and urn bearer Jennifer Bailey, ushers Brett Riddell, Chris Creighton, and Tyler Bryson, Reverend Craig Miller, Brittany and Lisa of Brockie Donovan, and Dr. Caplan and the BRHC staff who cared for Andrea. Donations in memory of Andrea may be made to Muscular Dystrophy Canada at www.muscle.ca (1.888.518.0044), or to the Humane Society of Canada at www.humanesociety.com (1.800.641.5463).