Obituary of Mary L. Andrew

Mary Lorraine Margaret Fitzgerald Andrew, 90, of Binghamton and Friendsville, was reunited in heaven with her husband of 24 years, William H. Andrew, on February 8, 2015 at the Willow Point Nursing Home. She was also predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Mary Fitzgerald; brothers, Joseph, William and John Fitzgerald; and a sister, Rosemary Barron. She is survived by her sister, Eleanor Cole; her children, Michael and Ruth Andrew, Steven and Rita Andrew, Charles Andrew and Donna Stuart, Shannon Andrew, Anna Marie and David Strano, Kathleen and Kevin Gross, Ellen and Hal Harkavy, Eliza and Michael Taylor; 24 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews that she loved very much. She was a longtime member of Saints John and Andrew and later St. Ambrose parishes. She was retired from Binghamton General Hospital where she had been employed as a nurse. She was a farm girl from Friendsville, PA. After graduating high school she joined the Navy, serving her country proudly during World War II as a "Wave." She traveled the USA and saw the world. She was stationed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii during the war. Her fondest memories always included Hawaii. After the War she raised eight kids and was so active in all our lives as a Brownie leader, Cub Scout leader, president of the Longfellow PTA (several times), an integral member of the Boy's Club Mothers Club. She returned to school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked at Binghamton General Hospital. After retirement she again proudly served her country by joining the Peace Corps and working in the Philippines. There was a period when she joined the Sisters of Mercy and lived in a convent setting. She worked in many capacities at Mom's House, with autistic children, as a private duty nurse, house sitting, always mother and grandmother. She loved to go camping, she was always baking something, she wrote books, published poetry. She was lucky at cards and "scratch offs." The family would like to express our greatest thanks to the staff at The Willow Point Nursing Home, in particular all of the wonderful ladies and gentlemen in the West Wing who were so caring and attentive to Mary. She never complained once, and we are sure she wishes that you all are "fat and happy." A Funeral Mass will be offered at the Church of Saints John and Andrew, Vestal Avenue, Binghamton Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at the Church of Saints John and Andrew Thursday from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mary may be made to either Willow Point Memorial Fund, 3700 Old Vestal Road, Vestal, NY 13850 or the Binghamton Boys & Girls Club, 90 Clinton St., Binghamton, NY 13905