Andrea

As most of you know by now, Andrea passed away this past Friday morning.  She has been battling health problems for a while.  The holidays were especially rough for her with a couple of bouts in the hospital.  Then she went back into the hospital the very end of January.  Because she had been hospitalized before, I never dreamed for one minute that she would not come out of the hospital.  The only word I can use to describe my shock at this turn of events is “devastated.”  I was not entirely sure I could write about this yet.  I’ve told you all that when I lose one of my furry family members (Wishers included), writing about the loss has always helped me.  As you might imagine, however, this is certainly not the case with a person, a friend, my Andrea. I feel like I’m in the depths of grief.  But I also know that I am not the only one who loves Andrea and that anyone who reads here knows Andrea because she’s been a part of this blog (and my work) for years and years and years.  So I know I need to pay tribute to this wonderful person.   Here.   On this blog.   Now.

It was because of this blog that Andrea and I met.  I started blogging in March of 2010.  In March of 2011, I received my first emails from Andrea.  She was interested in adopting a Wisher.  Here is text from the post I wrote on this blog (Mar 2011):

Leo has been chosen!  I have been emailing with Andrea for a few days now.  She and her husband have decided to adopt Leo into their family.   I first heard from Andrea via a comment she left on the blog.  Her comment was intriguing, alluding to the possibility of adoption.  So I emailed her.  Some time later, I received another comment on the blog from her, this time she asked me to please email her.  So I did - again.  Finally, last week, Andrea left me another comment.  I sent yet a third email and, tah - dah .  .  .  .  she got it!  My emails must have been going to her junk mail or something.  Anyway, that first email that she received from me was the beginning of a dialogue about her strong connection to Leo.  She had only just discovered this blog about a month before we took in the feral litter.  She has been in love with Leo since she first laid eyes on him.

Andrea has had cats her entire life, and she has dealt with the more timid, scared type.  She assures me that Leo will have all the time he needs to adjust.  He has come around so nicely here, but he does have that feral background.  Leo will be given all the love and time he needs to become a member of this family.  We are emailing now concerning a transport day and arrangements.  What a glorious thing to have happen!  I know all of you get nearly as excited as I do when an adoption comes through.

. . .  And that was the beginning of a 13-year relationship.  The rest is history.  For anyone who has been reading this blog since the beginning, you know that once Andrea and I connected, things only got better and better.  She adopted Leo.  She started a blog of her own (Celestial Kitties).  She left wonderful and supportive comments on my blog.  She eventually adopted TWO MORE Wishers – two kitties who had unfortunately been adopted initially by someone else and then neglected.  I was lucky to find out and to get them back.  And Andrea took them into her home.  Leo, Glitter and Cashmere were three very lucky kitties!  But even beyond adopting three Wishers, you all know that Andrea became THE biggest cheerleader that Winnie’s Wish has ever had.  She was constantly shouting our name and encouraging people to support this rescue.  And then there were her auctions.  Wow, I mean Wow!!!!!  She poured her time, energy, and love into those auctions.  She brought in funds for Winnie’s Wish over and over again.  There has been no greater friend to Winnie’s Wish than Andrea!

 

 

If that was everything, it would be enough for this tribute blog post.  But it went MUCH deeper.  Over the years, Andrea and I became the best of friends.  All of those years ago we emailed mostly about cats.  But we soon started sharing little bits and pieces of our lives with each other.  That only grew and grew and grew.  Before long, we were sharing nearly everything in our lives with each other.  Long emails.  The occasional phone call.  And in recent years, texting for every reason and for no reason at all. 

Andrea and I have been married to our husbands for nearly the same length of time.  We shared with each other about our husbands, and I have to say – we have both been lucky to have the husbands that we have.  I have mentioned Andrea’s husband Greg on this blog, mostly in association with her auctions.  It became a standing joke that Greg didn’t know how to “round up” properly when they sent the auction funds to Winnie’s Wish.  Somehow, he would always round too far up and the funds raised would grow due to the insistence of Greg that he and Andrea add to the take.  I’ve always loved Greg for that.  His generosity was deeply appreciated.  And now I worry about him so much. 

I was, of course, in touch with the family in Andrea’s final days.  But it wasn’t until the night before she passed that I came to the realization that she might not come back from this.  I was informed on the morning of her death about 50 minutes after she passed.  I felt like the life had been sucked out of me.  I’ve spent the ensuing days thinking about and missing Andrea so much.  It’s hard to imagine that I’ll never get another call, email, or text from her. 

If this is so devastating for me, I cannot imagine what her family must be going through.  I send them peace, and strength, and my love.  To Greg.  To the rest of her family.  And to Leo (Andrea’s heart cat) and Glitter and Cashmere.  (Her kitties loved her so much and she loved them with all of her heart.)

Andrea will NEVER be forgotten.  Those of us who knew her knew a genuine, compassionate, and caring individual.  I only hope my broken heart will begin to heal at some point.  I will literally miss her until we meet again. 

My dear dear Andrea – Farewell.

 

One final note.  Winnie’s Wish received two paypal gifts - one from someone I’ve never even spoken to, a friend of Andrea’s sister.  The gifts are in memory of Andrea. 

Jill – THANK YOU. 

Dee – THANK YOU.

I KNOW you just made Andrea smile.

 

 

 

Comments

[Random Felines]

a fitting tribute - she was a special lady and will be very missed

[Cassandra B.]

Oh I’m so sorry for your loss. I know what a wonderful friend Andrea was to Winnie’s Wish and I see now what a wonderful friend she was to you as well. I’m so very sorry.

[The Island Cats]

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. Andrea had the biggest heart made of gold. She will be missed.

[Brian's Home ~ Forever]

That's so, so sad. Andrea was a very special person and she will be forever remember by all of us. I sent you a donation in her honor.

[Jan, Angel Milo and Alfie's mom.]

So very sorry to hear your news. What a tragic loss.
RIP Andrea.

[Annabelle]

I was so shocked to read about Andrea. I suppose everyone was because we all knew to some degree she had health issues and had been in the hospital several times. But, like you mentioned, I always assumed she was coming home. I did not realize the depth of your friendship, I felt it had to be a strong bond because of her such generosity. I am so sorry for every single one of us for this loss. My heart especially goes out to her husband, Greg. I too am a widow, and know the devastation that brings in and of itself. I am sorry for your deep loss of love and friendship as I know it will take a long time for your soul to grieve. I am just so sorry for all of us including her beloved kitties.

[Ginny & the Fur Family]

I set here with sadness in my very soul for the passing of dear Andrea. I have seen over the years how much she loved cats and helped out with her auctions and beautiful hand made things she would put up for auction to help out Winnie's wish. Prayers for her dear husband- who will miss her so much. The old saying is keep telling their story and they will never be forgotten. Life is a journey and sometimes a heart breaking one and so it goes for a lifetime. God bless her family and all who knew her.

[The Poupounette Gang]

Like so many others, we were deeply saddened to read about Andrea. We always admired her courage and kindness, and loved everything she did for Winnie's Wish. She will be so very much missed by so many.

[Pam Tyson]

Oh I’m so very sorry to hear about Andrea’s passing. I know you are heartbroken. I got to know her just a little through the auctions and she was a joy.

[meowmeowmans]

What a beautiful tribute to an incredible human being, Chrystal. We're just heartbroken and speechless about Andrea's passing. She was such a wonderful person and a friend to so many around the world. She will be missed and never forgotten. Sending love and purrs to Greg, Glitter, Leo, and Cashmere, and to the countless many whose lives she touched.

[John Bellen]

Friends are the family one chooses. That makes it even harder when they are lost. This saddens me greatly, deeply. I wish there was something to say, or do, to help, but there never is. Godspeed, Andrea. God bless her family and friends.