Lydia L. Andrews

Mrs. Andrews was born to Lloyd Gerry Harris and Bessie Stuart Harris on May 6, 1921, at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London.

Lydia attended Norwich Free Academy and was graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1939.

She married Brooklyn native Frank Andrews in New London on July 3, 1943, and the couple had a son, William, and daughter, Susan.

Frank’s career in the U.S. Navy, in which he retired as a Master Chief petty officer and who served as a submarine quartermaster in World War II, took the family to the San Diego area in 1946.

While Frank and Lydia raised their children, Lydia was active as a member of the National City Exchange Club, was involved in her children’s school activities, and enjoyed playing bridge.

A love of poetry, first introduced by paternal grandmother Gertrude Fielding, was passed on to Lydia’s children and grandchildren to whom she often recited “Who Has Seen The Wind?” by 19th century English poet Christina Rossetti.

“Granny, “as she was affectionately known, was an original resident of Fort Hill, which opened in 2002.

She and several friends at the community were nicknamed the “Ya-Ya Girls”.

The fun-loving group enjoyed attending Connecticut Sun basketball games, watching the UConn women’s team, and participating in Mohegan Tribal Elder activities.

Lydia was predeceased by her husband in 1976 and son in 2012 and by brothers Roland Harris, twins William & James Harris, and sisters Gertrude Ross, Ruth Black, and Arlene LaCroix.

Mrs. Andrews is survived by her daughter Susan Smith of San Diego, grand daughters Allison Johnson of Griswold, Connecticut, and Courtney Toller of San Diego and great grandsons Connor and Drew Johnson of Griswold, and William and Zachary Toller of San Diego.