Andrea Alane True

On the evening of Sunday, November 12, I was thinking about birthday gifts that I would purchase for Andrea’s 54th birthday on December 17 and, for her son (my grandson), Zach’s 18th birthday on December 4. On the morning of Wednesday, November 15, Andrea gave up her 8 year battle to her nemesis, colon cancer. Who was Andrea Alane True? She was a bright, witty and loyal woman of many talents who constantly saw her world in technicolor and her family, friends, and co-workers as cartoon characters of her very special, very loving and very funny life. Her niece, Courtney, expressed her love for her aunt Andrea in a Face Book posting following Andrea’s death that shares a glimpse of Andrea’s personality: “My insanely, strong, hilarious, amazing and A-W-E-S-O-M-E Aunt lost her 8 year battle to cancer. Thank you, Aunt Andrea, for bringing so much joy in my life and teaching me to be myself and to take selfies whenever possible. You were the funniest woman I have ever known. No one has ever sung me Happy Birthday better than you. It’s great to know you’re with Patsy. I will love you forever!” Andrea was the older sister to her beloved sisters, Alyssa and Ashley. Andrea graduated from Hillcrest Highschool, and then embarked on an extended college career that included TCU, SMU, UCLA and UT-Dallas, from where she graduated at the insistence of the Dean. He reasoned that there were simply no other courses for her to take. Her first “real” job was a fun position with Upper Deck in Carlsbad, Califiornia where she assisted with the scheduling and marketing of Upper Deck’s stable of some of the country’s most celebrated athletes, past and present. She then became a part-owner and employee of a small advertising agency in Los Angeles that catered to the Hotel and Resort industry. Thereafter she left to join that Hotel and Resort Industry, which became her life-long career choice that she loved with her whole heart. She met and befriended many Marketing and Sales directors from coast to coast. She was intensely competitive at her job and spent many long hours selling the story of each of her hotels. Andrea’s husband, Thomas McAullife, died of Hepatis C while awaiting a liver transplant. His death was during the 8th month of her pregnancy with her son, Zachary. Following the birth of Zach, he became the center of her life, and she moved back to Dallas and to the village of family members who helped raise him. When Zach was diagnosed with a learning difference, dyslexia, Andrea enrolled Zach in a second grade class at The June Shelton School in Dallas. That school, its teachers, its staff and the parents of Zach’s classmates became important components of Zach’s Village and Andrea’s circle of friends. Following her death, the Shelton School, in tribute to Andrea and out of love for Zach, responded with an outpouring of kindness to Andrea’s entire family. Andrea’s illness was handled gently and surely by Dr. Ronald Kerr. She had many friends throughout the world and many devoted to helping her through difficult times. She surrounded herself with the comfort and love from her most special friends and family. Andrea loved flowers, but she loved her son Zach and wanted his future to be bright and positive, therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that you consider a donation to Zach’s school, the Shelton School at 15720 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, Texas, 75248, so that we may help other kids like Zach also have a bright and positive future.