Andrea T. Rosa

Andrea T. (McLaughlin) Rosa age 78, born October 30, 1936 in Waltham, MA, has passed at her home today May 24, 2015 in Williamsburg, VA to join her Heavenly Father. She is survived by her husband Michael G. Rosa, their children and their families.

Andrea on the Fine Art America website:

“Well, you won't find a long list of marvelous Art Academy's and mind boggling Art Degrees here. Instead, I am the poster child for.....'Oh! SOMEDAY I would love to learn to paint!' About 5 years ago (08’) 'someday' arrived..... It was late, but it really is never too late. I am attracted to vibrant colors, the ocean, things out of the ordinary and many of my paintings are 'surreal' to some extant. I am fascinated by clouds. My most recent painting, the 'Lily Of The Nile', a large. 24' x 36' oil on canvas was inspired by the thought..........'go for it!’ So, I shall paint on and never have to look for 'someday'.” Andrea created non-stopped till ALS robbed her of that ability. We have her gifts forever on our walls and forever in our hearts.

Andrea had many talents: a loving and supportive wife, a caring and strong mother, a great cook, floral shop owner, fabulous party planner and attendee. Andrea knew how to put together a party from decorations to food and she knew how to keep it going with conversation and stories. She had a strong flair for the dramatic having performed and directed many stage productions with the Camelot Players. She was a master key punch operator back when that was high tech, loved to sew and decorate and did garden design. She was a woman of many talents and passions.

Michael (Mike) was the love of her life and together the two of them created a life together to be proud of. “My Marriage, of the past 56 years, has been a storybook, in that, Andrea made me the man I am and groomed me for the success, I achieved. There were bumps of learning, but those bumps made us stronger and made our knot tighter. How lucky I was to be able to take care of her, and hold and hug her. We laughed together and cried together and had a lot of moments of deep thought and silence.”

Andrea grew up in Waltham, MA the only child to Henry A. and Madeleine C. (Connelly) McLaughlin. Andrea attended Saint Mary’s High School and Emerson College majoring in Speech Therapy and Drama. Mike then whisked her away to be his wife and life mate. They were married June 15, 1958. Over the decades they lived in Chelmsford, MA; Pittsford, NY; San Jose, CA; Boise, ID; Colorado Springs, CO; Monterey, CA; and finally settling in Williamsburg, VA. They also traveled to many unique and exotic places in the world from Hong Kong to Bermuda to Nova Scotia, her mother Madeline’s roots, and to Niagara Falls.

Andrea leaves behind along with her loving husband Mike; daughters, Jean Rosa, Donna Hayden (Jeff); granddaughter, Elizabeth Hayden (Ben); grandson, Thomas Hayden; and great-grandson Dean.

A visitation will be held, on Thursday, May 28 from 3:30PM to 5PM held at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, VA. A service will be held at 5PM followed by a reception, for all to remember and celebrate Andrea’s life. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Andrea’s memory to the Heritage Human Society of Williamsburg, VA by selecting Donate and then to Memorials, Honors and Tributes. Thoughts, remembrances and condolences can be posted to www.nelsencares.com.