Obituary for Andrea Dawn Desando
Andrea Dawn Desando
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our daughter and sister, Andrea Dawn Desando on August 22, 2022 at the age of 39.
The most beautiful baby with the softest and gentlest demeanor came into our lives on August 19, 1983, to the proudest of parents Vince and Cathy. Her smile and contagious laugh would light up any room she was in.
Andrea attended St. Margaret Elementary School, Bishop Gallagher Sr. Elementary School and St. Ignatius High School, graduating in 2001. Andrea enrolled in the Developmental Services Worker Program at Confederation College to foster her love of working with children of all abilities, which was truly her calling. After graduating from College, Andrea worked as a Student Support Person with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board for sixteen years, and more recently at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care as a Youth Intensive Treatment Counsellor. It was through her careers that she made a positive difference in many children’s lives.
Her true loves, and some of the most important people in her life, were her niece Addison and three nephews Nolan, Liam and Caden. She will always be affectionately remembered as “Aunta”.
Her gentle personality enabled her to make numerous lifelong friends from childhood to adulthood. Growing up, Andrea loved being with her family and friends, sharing laughs and making memories. Andrea loved spending time outdoors, and the annual family camping trips to Blue Lake were always a highlight of her summer. She was an avid competitive swimmer, enjoyed rollerblading, downhill and cross-skiing. From the age of seven, Andrea was already baking cookies for her family. If there was ever a family gathering, she would prepare a feast with enough food to feed the entire family with leftovers for days to come. It would go without saying that on special occasions Andrea would happily fulfill any dessert requests.
Andrea was a dog lover and spent her entire life surrounded by her pups. She was most recently a “fur mom” to Charlotte and Louie, who she loved very much.
Andrea is survived and lovingly remembered by her parents, Vince and Cathy, brothers Jason (Heather), Matthew (Cassandra Loveday), sister Michelle (Simon Shankie), Grandmother Velma O’Connor, her special Uncle Mike Desando, as well as numerous Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. True loves of her life and proud “Aunta” to her nephews Nolan, Liam, and Caden and niece Addison. She was predeceased by her grandparents Eugenio and Francesca Desando, Dennis O’Connor and Uncles Doug and Denny O’Connor.
A service to celebrate Andrea’s life will be held on Wednesday August 31, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Sargent & Sons Funeral Chapel 21 N. Court Street. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
For those unable to attend a live stream of the service will be on the Sargent & Son’s Facebook Page.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations can be made to Northern Critters in Need, Thunder Bay District Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
Rest in Peace our beautiful Andrea.
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our daughter and sister, Andrea Dawn Desando on August 22, 2022 at the age of 39.
The most beautiful baby with the softest and gentlest demeanor came into our lives on August 19, 1983, to the proudest of parents Vince and Cathy. Her smile and contagious laugh would light up any room she was in.
Andrea attended St. Margaret Elementary School, Bishop Gallagher Sr. Elementary School and St. Ignatius High School, graduating in 2001. Andrea enrolled in the Developmental Services Worker Program at Confederation College to foster her love of working with children of all abilities, which was truly her calling. After graduating from College, Andrea worked as a Student Support Person with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board for sixteen years, and more recently at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care as a Youth Intensive Treatment Counsellor. It was through her careers that she made a positive difference in many children’s lives.
Her true loves, and some of the most important people in her life, were her niece Addison and three nephews Nolan, Liam and Caden. She will always be affectionately remembered as “Aunta”.
Her gentle personality enabled her to make numerous lifelong friends from childhood to adulthood. Growing up, Andrea loved being with her family and friends, sharing laughs and making memories. Andrea loved spending time outdoors, and the annual family camping trips to Blue Lake were always a highlight of her summer. She was an avid competitive swimmer, enjoyed rollerblading, downhill and cross-skiing. From the age of seven, Andrea was already baking cookies for her family. If there was ever a family gathering, she would prepare a feast with enough food to feed the entire family with leftovers for days to come. It would go without saying that on special occasions Andrea would happily fulfill any dessert requests.
Andrea was a dog lover and spent her entire life surrounded by her pups. She was most recently a “fur mom” to Charlotte and Louie, who she loved very much.
Andrea is survived and lovingly remembered by her parents, Vince and Cathy, brothers Jason (Heather), Matthew (Cassandra Loveday), sister Michelle (Simon Shankie), Grandmother Velma O’Connor, her special Uncle Mike Desando, as well as numerous Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. True loves of her life and proud “Aunta” to her nephews Nolan, Liam, and Caden and niece Addison. She was predeceased by her grandparents Eugenio and Francesca Desando, Dennis O’Connor and Uncles Doug and Denny O’Connor.
A service to celebrate Andrea’s life will be held on Wednesday August 31, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Sargent & Sons Funeral Chapel 21 N. Court Street. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
For those unable to attend a live stream of the service will be on the Sargent & Son’s Facebook Page.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations can be made to Northern Critters in Need, Thunder Bay District Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
Rest in Peace our beautiful Andrea.