M. Andrews

(1916 - 2012) Passed away peacefully at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012 at the age of 96. Beloved wife of the late Vernon. Loving mother of Marian Garrison, Barbara Andrews, David Andrews, Robert Andrews and the late Mark Andrews. Proud grandmother of 13 & great-grandmother of 12. Dear sister of the late Kent Miller and Ruth Allen. Jean was born in Toronto on October 4th, 1916, the first of three children to Edward Andrew Miller and Christina May Miller. She lived in Toronto on Rowland Ave through her high school years. Family vacations were spent on Skeleton Lake in Muskoka at a lakeside cottage her father and brother had built next to Leander Beach. She often talked of the wonderful times she shared with the other young people who stayed on the beach in the summer, many of whom became lifelong friends. She said that those were some of the happiest days of her life. Her first full time employment after school was working in the offices of the Transit Authority in Toronto. One of the young people Jean met one summer at the lake was Vernon Andrews who she married on November 19, 1937 at the Alhambra Church in Toronto. Jean and Vernon went on to raise fire children; Marian, Barbara, David, Robert and Mark. During the war years the family lived outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then settled near the town of Libertyville, Illinois. Each year the family returned to Skeleton Lake for vacation and to visit friends and relatives. The extended family continues to follow that tradition today. While still raising her children, Jean earned a full scholarship to attend Northeastern Illinois State College where she earned a Bachelors degree in education and teaching certificate in April 1969. She went on to teach 4th grade in the North Chicago school system for the next 10 years. After retirement Jean and Vernon traveled extensively sending winters in New Mexico and Mesa, Arizona, returning each spring to the place they loved on Skeleton Lake. After Vernon passed away Jean insisted on moving back to Muskoka to live her remaining years at the Bracebridge Villa Retirement Home. This allowed her to see her children and grandchildren who visited the family cottage each summer. Jean enjoyed her later years living at The Villa which she said she considered home. She made many friends among the residents and staff there. Her son Robert had retired to Bracebridge only a short distance away and was able to visit her often. From a very early age, Jean was a prolific reader and was able to engender that life-long interest in all of her children and students. All her life Jean had a strong and abiding love and respect for nature and animals which she successfully passed down to every other member of the family. She could always be found to have at least one of her found or rescued creatures around her. Jean had a true passion for gardening and was known by everyone for the beautiful flower gardens she created and maintained at each of the places she lived. In later life she often talked about the joy they gave her. Jean's family would like to give the staff and doctors at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital our sincere thanks. It has been comforting for everyone to know how she was treated with such a high level of personal and professional care in her last days. The family would also like to extend their appreciation to the wonderful staff and residents of the Bracebridge Villa Retirement Home. If you would like to send flowers, the family encourages you to send them to the Bracebridge Villa, 690 Hwy 118W, Bracebridge, Ontario P1L 1W9 in memory of Jean Andrews. Jean's extended family are planning a private memorial at Skeleton Lake where she had so many happy memories. Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.reynoldsfuneral.com

Interment Details

Innisvale Crematorium