Mary Louise Andrews

Mary Andrews, 92 passed away peacefully in Fresno on June 30, 2025.

Mary was born in San Diego to Charles L and Mary L on December 24, 1932. She is survived by her two daughters, Karen (Sean) DeQueiroz and Laura Andrews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Andy, son Charles and sister Jean.

Mary grew up in San Diego with her parents and younger sister Jean. She met her best friend Connie in grade school. She graduated from Hoover High School in 1950. Mary attended San Diego State College where she graduated with a bachelors degree in science. She is a lifetime member of Sigma Kappa sorority. She met her future husband Arthur G “Andy” Andrews while attending San Diego State. Mary and Andy were married in June of 1953.

Mary and Andy lived in Lancaster, California for a few years while Andy taught school there. They returned to San Diego and Andy taught at Castle Park Junior High in Chula Vista. They had three children, Charles, Karen and Laura. Mary was active in her children’s lives and helped at their schools. She did playground duty, served hot lunch and worked in the library at Our Lady of Grace school. She was a chaperone for her daughter’s softball teams. She enjoyed having beach parties with her family and close group of friends. Mary, Andy and the children went on vacation each summer to a different national park in the western United States. These were special trips for the whole family.

Mary worked for a bookkeeping company when her children were older. Mary was always on the go. She loved to play canasta and bridge with friends. She was an active member of the Young Ladies Institute (YLI), a Catholic organization that raised money to help others. She was active in the ladies guild and the Cursillo community at Our Lady of Grace. She met with her groupies from Cursillo weekly for over 20 years. Mary and Andy were members of the San Diego Zoo for many decades and enjoyed visiting the zoo and Wild Animal Park. Mary attended bible study classes at church and enjoyed tours led by the Bible study leader to Israel, Greece and Turkey.

Mary and Andy were married for over 60 years. Following Andy’s death in 2014, Mary continued to stay active at church and with friends.

During the past few years, Mary lived with the impact of progressing dementia. In 2022 she moved to Fresno to live with her daughter Laura. In 2023 she moved into the memory care unit at the Truewood facility. Mary always enjoyed being around people and loved her new friends at Truewood. Many thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Truewood and the wonderful nurses and staff at Bristol hospice. We are blessed by the loving way you cared for Mary.

Mary lived an amazing and blessed life. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Donations in Mary’s name may be made to Bristol Hospice in Fresno, the San Diego Zoo or the Food Pantry at Our Lady of Grace Church in El Cajon, California.

A memorial service will be held in Fresno, California on Wednesday, August 6th at 11:00 am at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns and Blair Funeral Home - 836 East Nees Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720. A Catholic mass will be held at Our Lady of Grace Church in El Cajon, California in early September 2025.