Andrea Nechodom Hall

With overwhelming sadness, we report that Andrea Nechodom Hall passed away on September 27, 2018. Andrea was a sweet, funny, caring, and selfless person. She radiated happiness and energy, and her smile could brighten any room. Andrea was so many things to so many people: a loving daughter, wife, sister, and friend. But to everyone, Andrea was a source of inspiration. She pushed everyone to be better – to be more like her. Despite facing unremitting hardship, Andrea never diminished, and her positivity never wavered.

Andrea grew up as a “Carolina girl.” She was born in Columbia, South Carolina, on January 4, 1991, to Paul and Oonagh Nechodom. Andrea was the younger sister to her brother, Douglas Nechodom. At only six months old, Andrea moved with her family to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. While living in Jeddah, Andrea and her family visited different countries, including celebrating Andrea’s first birthday in Germany with a pacifier dipped in beer. Growing up, Andrea and Doug loved playing with one another by building forts out of boxes and cushions from their couches.

After a few years, Andrea and her family moved to Greenville, South Carolina, where Andrea, Douglas, and her parents enjoyed visiting the swing sets at a park near their house. As a child, Andrea dressed up as a bat for Halloween, and could be seen “flying” after jumping off a large rock in front of her house. Andrea and her family returned to Saudi Arabia, and Andrea started kindergarten in Dhahran. Andrea and her family then returned to Greenville, South Carolina, where Andrea stayed until she started college.

Growing up in Greenville, Andrea developed a love for horses and sailing. Each summer, Andrea and Doug would sail at the Western Carolina Sailing Club. Andrea met her great friends Austin and Ryan through sailing, and Andrea introduced them to her best school friend, Audrey. Together, Andrea and her friends had adventures on Lake Hartwell that Andrea never forgot.

Andrea also joined the local chapter of the Pony Club, where she learned about horses. Andrea advanced through the Pony Club’s rating system by developing and demonstrating her skills with riding, jumping, safety, horse care, and equipment care. The rating system encouraged Andrea to be responsible and independent – traits that remained with her throughout her life. Even though her parents and brother took riding lessons to learn about Andrea’s passion, Andrea was always the family’s equine expert.

Andrea met another of her closest friends, Sarah or “Bookie,” through horse riding. But Andrea also met her first true love: Mr. Bogie, her horse. Although Andrea had ridden and taken care of other horses, she clicked with Bogie – as she said, the two were a match made in pony-heaven. Andrea had a number of nicknames for Bogie, including “Mr. Goose,” “Boggles,” and “the fuzzy red pony.” Andrea took excellent care of Bogie, and she worked at his barn to help pay for the cost of his care.

Together with Mr. Bogie, Andrea competed and excelled at various equestrian competitions. Andrea particularly enjoyed tetrathlon, which consisted of riding, running, swimming, and shooting. Andrea juggled her equestrian activities with her school work, which she ensured never suffered, and with taking care of her four cats and one dog. Andrea was exceptionally close to her cat Leroy. Rather than purring, Leroy would make, as Andrea described them, “pigeon noises” when Andrea rubbed his head. Leroy always followed Andrea around – whether licking her head when she sat on the couch, sleeping in the crook of her knees at night, or getting in her truck to accompany Andrea to school.

While in high school, Andrea also expressed her creativity. Andrea and her mother took multiple art classes together. Andrea was particularly adept at watercolors, with some of her best artwork consisting of watercolor paintings of her horse, Bogie.

In 2009, Andrea moved from Greenville to Charleston, South Carolina, to attend the College of Charleston. In a moment of pure fate, Andrea met her eventual husband, Cameron Hall, at a fire drill on the evening prior to the first day of classes. The two met because Andrea was wearing a Jimmy Buffett t-shirt, a favorite artist of the two.

At the College of Charleston, Andrea studied biology with the goal of becoming a nurse. She volunteered her free time at the Medical University of South Carolina and was the vice president of the school’s nursing club. Andrea was also a member of the College of Charleston’s Kappa Delta sorority, where she developed great friendships that lasted throughout her life. On top of her academics and extracurriculars, Andrea brought Mr. Bogie with her to Charleston. It was not uncommon for Andrea to wake up at 5:00 AM to visit and take care of Bogie, return to early morning classes, and be in the library late into the night; Andrea was extremely self-motivated.

Andrea had fun and lasting memories from college – many of which were shared with Cameron. Andrea and Cameron enjoyed eating the famous southern food in Charleston, taking trips to the beach, and going for bike rides to the Battery. Andrea and Cameron also enjoyed taking trips together, one of the most memorable of which was a trip to Caneel Bay in the Virgin Islands. At Caneel Bay, Andrea, Cameron, and Andrea’s parents enjoyed snorkeling and admiring the wildlife located on the island.

In the spring of her senior year, Andrea was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Fitting with Andrea’s tough spirit, in the two days prior to her diagnosis, Andrea ran the Cooper River Bridge Run and attended her sorority’s semi-formal – nothing could slow Andrea down. Despite her diagnosis, Andrea graduated with honors, and was recognized for her excellence in the nursing field.

Taking her diagnosis in stride, Andrea delayed her attendance at nursing school, and received real-life experience with healthcare. Andrea started her fight against cancer back home in Greenville. With her mother, Andrea sought to fight cancer in the kitchen – trying different recipes to help alleviate the symptoms of her chemotherapy treatments. Andrea and Cameron also exercised by going for long walks in Andrea’s neighborhood, which were highlighted by visiting a large dog living down the street.

Andrea, her family, and Cameron moved to Houston, Texas, so that Andrea could receive a bone marrow transplant at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. When it seemed like everyone else was worried, Andrea’s calming demeanor and positive outlook was enough to make it seem like everything would be alright. Andrea’s contagious smile and adorable laughter were enough for everyone to forget the hospital surroundings, and to instead feel at home.

Even while fighting cancer, Andrea didn’t stop living her life. Andrea continued to express herself creatively by painting ceramics and making clay figurines. Andrea, her parents, and Cameron had fun at Astros’ baseball games and picnics at different state and national parks. Andrea kept up with her friends and made new ones at the treatment center.

On so many occasions when her doctors appeared to lose hope, Andrea kept pushing through. Andrea frequently mentioned that she had so much to live for. Doctors would be constantly surprised by Andrea’s appearance and attitude, noting that she “looked much better in person than on paper.” One doctor even noted that if you could bottle up Andrea’s resiliency and will to live, you could make a fortune.

After spending two years in Houston, Andrea and her parents moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, to be with Cameron while he attended law school. Andrea’s treatment – and her living – continued uninterrupted. Andrea started cooking more, always keeping track of her favorite recipes by handwriting them on cards. Andrea and her mother worked in the garden, which provided fresh food for Andrea’s cooking. Andrea and Cameron went to Rays’ games and had lunch dates at Cameron’s school. Family celebrations were frequent, and Andrea was always the center of attention.

In 2015, Andrea added a new member to the family: Gus, a toy Australian Shephard. Andrea loved taking naps on the couch with Gus and getting him new toys. Andrea also enjoyed finding stylish outfits (for her and Gus) and getting thoughtful gifts for her family and friends. Andrea made a new friend from her sorority, who was also fighting cancer. It is almost impossible to think that while doing so much, Andrea had two hip replacements, a knee replacement, kidney failure, and multiple infections – Andrea wasn’t letting her disease affect her living. Andrea always kept looking to the future: starting a family, riding horses again, and growing older.

In 2017, Andrea, her family, and Cameron moved to Brandon, Florida. In Brandon, Andrea had her own small farm, which she called Persimmon Pond Farm. Andrea picked the name to honor Mr. Bogie, who loved persimmons and sadly passed away before the two could be reunited. Andrea took a new horse, J.D., and rescued a mini-horse, Puff. Andrea kept her barn well organized and in tip-top shape. Andrea was able to ride her horses again, and she continued living her life.

When Andrea’s diagnosis took a turn for the worse in mid-2018, her doctors didn’t think that it was worth continuing treatment. In character, Andrea continued to fight for another three months, most of that time being spent out of the hospital. Even with a terminal diagnosis, Andrea continued to exceed expectations. Andrea and Cameron were married on August 26, 2018, which was the best day of her and Cameron’s lives. Through divine intervention, with storms surrounding the wedding venue, the outdoor wedding went off without any rain. Andrea was strong throughout the wedding. She visited with her best friends, danced to the live band, and ate from a wedding cake that she remembered fondly in her final days.

Even as Andrea grew weaker, she never changed who she was or how she lived. Andrea kept up with her favorite activities up to the point when her body couldn’t give any more. On September 27, 2018, Andrea let us know that she was ready to go home, and she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.

A famous quote is that “it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.” No statement better represents Andrea’s life. Andrea impacted so many people; she made all of those she touched better. Andrea always thought of others before herself, even as she was fighting cancer, broken bones, and infections. Although Andrea’s body is no longer with us, her spirit lives on and guides us to this day. Andrea taught us how to live, how to love, and how to care. Andrea’s impact truly cannot be summarized in words, as she was beyond imagination.

Andrea is survived by her husband, Cameron, her mother, Oonagh, her father, Paul, her brother, Doug, her dog, Gus, her cats, Ginger and Hooter, and her horses, J.D. and Puff.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and a service will be conducted starting at 11:00 AM, on October 5, 2018, at Stowers Funeral Home in Brandon, Florida. A burial will be conducted thereafter at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Andrea’s honor to one of the following: Hope Equine Rescue; MD Anderson Cancer Center; Moffitt Cancer Center; or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In Andrea's memory please feel free to wear brightly colored clothing to the funeral service.

Andrea impacted so many people. In the days after her passing, her family has received the following messages:

“She brought light and hope to all the lives she touched, and approached life with a dignity, grace and maturity beyond her years. Her wisdom and loving generosity of spirit and unconditional love are treasured gifts for those of us Blessed to have truly known her. Know that I loved Andrea as a Beloved sister and that I always carry her and her spirit in my heart. Andrea served as an example to all of us. Although, Andrea was only 1-year older that I, she showed me how to live. Throughout her courageous battle with leukemia, she gave of herself unwavering to others. A legacy of Love, of the depth each of us can only hope to leave behind.”

“Growing up with her and getting to spend as much time with her as I did was such a blessing. She helped shape who I am today. It’s so tragic to see a wonderful person and close friend’s life cut so short but the positive impact she left on so many people’s lives is more than most can achieve in a lifetime.”

“She was a bright spot who made me a better person. She was the bravest, gracious soul I have known. I feel blessed to have been part of her life.”

“She was a beautiful person inside and out and we were blessed to have her as our niece.”

“Ann has taught all who knew her what real courage was really about. Cam and Ann also showed what real love was about. Ann was a teacher in her life and we as a family were lucky to have her with us.”

“Ann was a beacon of light for our family and her dearest friends. Thank you for sharing her with us. Her life is a testimony of ‘live your life to the fullest every day.’”

“… I do know how special of a person Ann was and how much she will be missed by everyone in her life. I hope you can find some comfort in knowing how many lives she touched and what an incredible person and friend she was. I’ve … come across so many things Ann sent me or wrote me that brought a smile to my face. She was incredibly thoughtful and caring …. She will live forever in our hearts.”

“She was truly one of the best people I’ve ever met. It’s rare in this world to meet someone as kind and amazing as Ann. I feel extremely honored to have known and had Ann in my life.”