Phyllis M. Andrea
Born In: North Sydney
Born: March 5th, 1939
Passed in: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Passed on: March 14th, 2015
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dearly loved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Phyllis Marie Andrea. Phyllis passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at her home in Surrey, B.C. at the age of 76.
Born in North Sydney, N.S. on March 5, 1939, Phyllis was the eldest daughter of the late Peter and Grace (Blackmore) Whalen. She was employed most of her life with Sears in North Sydney and Sydney Mines before retiring. She moved to B.C. in 2007 to be closer to her children. She was a loyal member of the Catholic church and took great comfort in embracing her faith. She was an active volunteer for the Cancer Agency and Food Bank. Throughout her life, Phyllis enriched the lives of others with her generous heart.
She was a devoted and loving mother, proud of her family and was delighted to become a great-grandmother. Her greatest passion in life was spending time with her family and friends. Always on the move, she was known as the roadrunner of the family. She loved playing games with her closest friends who were dear to her heart. Her radiant smile was contagious, making friends with total strangers and providing joy to those she loved. She taught us how to live life fully, passionately, bravely and courageously, just like she lived hers. She could see the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Phyllis was the beloved wife of the late Ron (Bomber) Andrea.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her twin brother, Harry and siblings, Vince, Morgan and George.
She leaves her beloved memories to be cherished by her daughters, Patricia Andrea, Lesley (David) Newman, Linelle (Derek) Muirhead; her grandchildren, Lindsay (David Zarchikoff) Andrea, Jacob Newman and Ben Muirhead along with her great-grandchild, Max Zarchikoff; her only sister, Monica (Rob) Robertson and her brother, Dan (Judy) Whalen, fond nieces, nephews, and many loving relatives and friends. With how many lives she has enriched through her gentle way, she will forever live on in our hearts.
A mass will take place at 9 a.m. on March 27, 2015 at Star of the Sea Church, 1153 Fir St., White Rock, B.C. A reception will follow at Rosemary Heights Retirement Home, 15240 34th Ave., Surrey, B.C. A celebration of life will take place in North Sydney this summer. Further details will be announced at a later date.
The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heartfelt forms from too many people to name individually but include Rosemary Heights Retirement Home staff and Panorama Community Dialysis Unit staff who provided extraordinary care and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.
