Bonnie Andrews

Bonnie R. Andrews, 92, beloved wife of the late Michael Andrews, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 16, 2016. She was born in Indian Mound, TN, September 15, 1923, daughter of Whitfield and Henrietta (Downs) Burcham, the youngest of their 10 children.

Bonnie married Richard Crist at the age of 19, making their home in Alton, IL. Richard joined the Army and was killed in action in Normandy, France in 1944. Later that year, Bonnie joined the Women’s Army Corps and served as a staff sergeant for two years. While in service, she met and fell in love with her second husband, Michael Andrews. The two were married in 1946 and settled in East Hartford for over 50 years.

Together, they loved to travel, cross country and Alaska but they held a special place in their hearts for Hawaii and it’s “Aloha spirit”. Bonnie was very devoted to her family and cherished time spent with them, especially her grandchildren. She was a member of the Central Baptist Church in Hartford and enjoyed many close friendships. She was an avid reader and will be most remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and kind heart.

Bonnie will be dearly missed by her son, Kevin Andrews of Windham; her daughter, Holly Andrews and her husband Paul Cummiskey of Glastonbury; grandsons, Paul and Ethan Cummiskey, Michael and Ian Andrews; great granddaughter, Sydney; former daughter in-law, Theresa Andrews; special niece Madeline “Pat” Cook; brother in-law Andrew Andrews and his wife Arlene and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husbands, Richard Crist and Michael Andrews, Bonnie was predeceased by her grandson, Matthew Andrews and her 9 brothers and sisters.

A special thanks to the staff at Salmon Brook Nursing and Rehabilitation for their compassionate care and friendship to Bonnie.

Friends and family are welcome to gather on Wednesday, January 20th, at Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford for a period of visitation from 10:00AM to 11:00AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:00AM at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will follow in Silver Lane Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bonnie’s memory may be made to the Central Baptist Church, 457 Main St. Hartford, CT 06103 or the “Recreation Fund” at Salmon Brook Healthcare, 72 Salmon Brook Dr., Glastonbury, CT 06033.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com