Andrée was 95 and the last survivor of a formidable and loving family of seven children, including her eldest brother, Henri, a respected physician and artist, also of Mobile.
Andrée’s life was a truly extraordinary one —which took her from her birthplace in Cairo, Egypt, where she had been educated by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—to major capitals of the world in Germany, France, Iran, India and Brazil, accompanying her husband, whom she wed shortly after World War II, on May 11, 1945, during his long diplomatic career as a United States Foreign Service Officer. She learned to speak five languages fluently during the course of her travels, including Farsi, which allowed her to serve as an interpreter for President Eisenhower during his visit with the Shah of Iran. The couple retired to Mobile in 1976 to be closer to Andrée’s brother Henri, his wife Carol and their family and Andrée was proud to call herself a Mobilian and often said that she had spent many of the happiest moments of her life in her adopted city.
Andrée was a truly beautiful lady who lived every minute of her life with grace and elegance, always nurturing the bonds of love for her family, close and far, notwithstanding the hardships of extended periods overseas. She always had time for others, family, relatives and friends, even as she aged, and her infectious enthusiasm, ready sense of humor and positive spirit warmed the hearts—and often brought a welcome smile—to those she could speak with, even when this became difficult for her. She simply loved reaching out and touching others and being touched by their lives as well.
She is survived by her three children, Priscilla and Claudia, also living in Mobile, who accompanied her with truly exceptional love and devotion in her final years, and her son, Alan, who resides in Paris, France, and by their spouses, Marylise Cariddi and Barry Spooner, and by her grandchildren and their spouses, Michelle (Michael) , Melanie (Jim), Jenifer (Nathan) and Alan Jr (Maud), and her great grandchildren, Maverick, Michael, Logan and Angelina.
Those who knew our Andrée will terribly miss her wonderful personal presence and her unsinkable joie de vivre. She will remain forever in our hearts.
