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FANNYE EVANGELINE ANDREWS (nee GRAMMAS)
Born: Dec 08, 1926
Date of Passing: Mar 06, 2019
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryFANNYE EVANGELINE ANDREWS
(nee GRAMMAS)
On March 6, 2019, the world lost a true angel. Our dear mother, Fannye Evangeline Andrews (nee Grammas), passed away quietly and peacefully with family by her side.
She is survived by her five children, Renie Andrews, Deno Andrews (Connie), George Andrews (Kim Schroeder), Tia Cumming (Jim), Peggy Stephen; her grandchildren, Kristen Normandin (Oren Weinberg), Douglas Stephen, Cameron Cumming; and her great-grandchild Jacob Weinberg, whom she so affectionately always referred to as precious.
She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Cameron Grammas (Demetra), her sisters, Ernestine Costellos (Vick), Evangeline Stathakes (George) and her infant grandson Christopher Normandin.
Mom's parents, George and Venetia Grammas, both came to North America from Greece and settled in Alabama to start a new life for themselves and to raise their family. She was the second youngest of four children.
She moved to Winnipeg, Canada, when she married Peter Andrews in 1950. There she began her journey of raising her family and developing her own professional life. Her children meant the world to her and she set an example of independence, strength, honesty, integrity and love that nobody could surpass. She was a pioneer in her own right. In 1963, now as a single parent, she set out to dedicate the rest of her life to caring first and foremost for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, and for that she will forever be missed. She never put herself before others. She was a fabulous cook, dressmaker, decorator, furniture refinisher, drapery maker, educator and gardener, but above all the most wonderful parent children could ever want. Regardless of what her children asked of her, she always found the time to help them. Mom so loved her family.
She taught all of her children the extreme importance of caring about others, to be generous to those less fortunate and give back to your community. Once when a student asked her what she would do if somebody stole something from her, she said that she wouldn't do anything because they obviously needed it more than she did. She taught us the importance of living a good and healthy life and the importance of not only taking care of your mind spiritually, but taking care of your body. Nobody was more dedicated to every aspect of their life including their fitness, as mom was.
In 1960, she began teaching at Windsor Park Collegiate, where she worked as a dedicated and professional educator until her retirement in 1984. She loved Windsor Park Collegiate and it's students with all her heart. It was where she was loved by so many of her students and faculty because of her sense of pride in the work that she did and dedication to those that she taught. As a former student commented on Facebook: Your Mom was a wonderful Teacher and second Mother to so many of us ....I am so grateful that I knew her !!!
Mom was dedicated as a parent, as a teacher, as a volunteer and as a friend, and all were done with 150% effort. Her friends meant so much to her, that she would even travel down to Alabama several times over the years to celebrate school reunions with friends from over 70 years ago.
In her retirement she worked for over 25 years as a volunteer with the Winnipeg Art Gallery and their associated groups. Her teaching experience made her a dedicated volunteer with the art in the schools program. She made many friends who saw her as nothing but a true professional, a true educator and a person that cared about so many others.
She loved her volunteer work with the Winnipeg Art Gallery and valued her membership in the American Women's Club. She was truly passionate about her dedication to God and to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and all the volunteering she did for the church. It also meant the world to her.
She was a woman of style, sophistication, grace and as a friend so eloquently stated, "Fannye was an elegant woman to the very tips of her fingers". She will be sadly missed forever.
Prayers were held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on Friday, March 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service was held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church with the interment and reception following at Green Acres Funeral Home.
Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Winnipeg and the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 07, 2019
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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I met Fanny about 5 months after I moved from our native state of Alabama to Winnipeg. She took me under her wing, cooking me dinner and introducing me to several Winnipeggers and Winnipeg restaurants. I remember cooking her a 4th of July dinner to celebrate our birth nations’s birthday. She was always a great cook, host, and friend. It turns out I knew some of her cousins in Alabama. She was a great lady, in every sense of the word. I am so sorry to have only learned of her passing now. She will live on, not only in the memories of her relatives, but also in the hearts and memories of her friends. Much love to her amazing family. - Posted by: Mary Brabston (Friend) on: Dec 27, 2019
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I was very sad to hear of the passing of a lady I have admired and respected for so very, very, long. Mrs. Andrews was full of grace and compassion, bringing out the best in people by her presence. My deepest sympathy to you Renie, Deno, George, Tia, Peggy, and family. May this wonderful woman's memory be eternal. - Posted by: Helen Giannis (Friend) on: Mar 15, 2019
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My friends and I started grade nine at Windsor Park Collegiate in 1965. We held Mrs. Andrews with equal parts of awe and terror as we attended her grade nine home ec class. As our high school years went by we lost the terror but always held her in awe. Throughout our lives we've continued to say to each other, "What would Mrs. Andrews say?" or "Mrs. Andrews would like that!" She was an amazing lady who had a huge impact on thousands of her students lives. - Posted by: Lana McGimpsey (Former student) on: Mar 15, 2019
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My deepest sympathies to Renie, Deno, George, Tia and Peggy, I remember seeing your mother and would ask about cooking techniques, your mother always was there to help me out-when I first started at the Westin Hotel, Winnipeg as young chef Thista Fanny was thoughtful, gosh so caring and made you feel special, many years later Thista Fanny came to Birmingham with her daughter at the Greek Church she found me, and said "how proud she was of me. That Still Shines Bright". Thank you Thista Fanny - Posted by: Tom Cholakis (Friend ) on: Mar 11, 2019
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Ms. Fannie was one of the first people to welcome me to Winnipeg 10 years ago, as a fellow Alabamian. Her wit and culinary skills were a delight, and her many stories were such an inspiration. Winnipeg was a richer place thanks to her hospitality to her friends and generosity of spirit to strangers during her many volunteer hours she shared with our community! She left behind a long string of grateful people. (So sorry to be traveling during her goodbyes.) - Posted by: Hazel Borys (friend) on: Mar 11, 2019
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My deepest sympathies to Renie, Deno, George, Tia and Peggy. Your mother was a caring, loving, kind hearted person who I enjoyed being around when we crossed paths. She always had words of wisdom for me and I looked up to her in the highest manner. I’m thinking of the entire family during this sad time. rest in peace theia fanny. - Posted by: stephen cholakis (family friend ) on: Mar 11, 2019
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Fannye spent many, many years with us here in the Gallery Shop at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. She charmed us all with her sunny smiles and caring energy. We will miss her dearly. - Posted by: Tanya Reid (Gallery Shop ) on: Mar 08, 2019
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I will speak to our privileged meetings we were blessed with in both Winnipeg and Phoenix where she spent time with her wonderful son George and daughter in law Kim. Our group meets frequently and this is where we were introduced to this special person about two years ago. We would soon see how her life’s work raising a family was forefront with how George and Kim loved being around her to spoil her in her last years. An absolute memorable delight to be in her presence with that loving smile and gentle demeanour. We were blessed with time spent with Fanny. Our group sends condolences and prayers to the Andrews family. - Posted by: Larry Rempel (Family friend of George and Kim.) on: Mar 08, 2019
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Fannie will be fondly remembered by so many of the longstanding members of the AWC. She had a wonderful southern charm, beauty and sparkle to her that made it special to be in her presence. I admired her enthusiasm for life and her generosity with her time as a volunteer over the years. She was a wonderful person. My condolences to Tia and all of your siblings and families. - Posted by: Andrea Brown (American Women's Club member) on: Mar 07, 2019
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