Fannye Evangeline Andrews

On March 6th the world lost a true angel. Our dear Mother, Fannye Evangeline Andrews (nee Grammas), passed away quietly and peacefully after her battle with Alzheimer's, that so cruelly stole her mind. 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. Moms 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 4 children. 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. 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. She so loved her children. 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 8th 2019 at 7 pm. The funeral service was held on Saturday March 9th, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church with the internment 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's Society of Manitoba.