Edna McAndrews

Edna Hazel McAndrews, 96, passed away peacefully from complications of Alzheimer’s on March 26, 2021 at Westside Village Nursing Center surrounded by her family. She was born on March 15, 1925 in Mifflin, Indiana to Joseph and Bridget (Qualter) Leonard. She lived in southern Indiana until she graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1946 whereupon she moved to Indianapolis. She worked at Royal-Globe Insurance Company for many years, even after her marriage to Joseph Edward McAndrews, May 27, 1961. Edna and Joe met through the Young Catholic Adults (YCA) where she made many lifelong friends. When her daughter, Monica Sue, was born in 1964, she devoted herself to child rearing and managing the household. She and Joe were thrilled to welcome a son, Patrick Joseph, in 1965. They were living in the Eagledale neighborhood at that time and were founding members of St. Gabriel Catholic Church. More good friendships were formed with members of the parish, especially in the Women’s Club. When her children became older, she worked as a switchboard operator at Westview Hospital. Eventually she retired, and she and Joe traveled to Ireland, visited relatives and friends and took many cruises. She was an excellent cook and skilled at needlework, making many beautiful quilts throughout the years. She always enjoyed time with family, playing bingo, bridge and euchre, gardening, feeding the birds and looking for bargains at garage sales. About ten years ago, she and Joe moved to Westside Garden Plaza. The Bridge (Assisted Living) was a perfect fit for them. Edna stayed in their apartment even after Joe died in 2012. Her family would like to thank all the staff for being so kind to Edna in her later years.

Edna was predeceased by her husband Joe, parents Joseph and Bridget, stepfather Thomas Lavin, her sister Jessie (Leonard) Pennington and her brother Leo Lavin, many brothers- and sisters-in-law and cousins. She is survived by her children Monica and Patrick (Cathy), her grandchildren Connor and Ryan McAndrews, and Spencer and Sean Hill, her brother Edward Lavin and her sister Helen (Lavin) Wilson (Ed), brother-in-law Paul Beaudreault, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and cousins.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Usher Funeral Home. Visitation will be at 11am followed by mass at noon Wednesday, March 31 at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church. The service will be recorded and broadcast on https://www.facebook.com/StGabrielindy/videos/?ref=page_internal. Covid protocols will be in place for social distancing and mask wearing. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Gabriel’s, The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana or The Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.

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