Andra Dawn Cahoon Coccimiglio

You may have felt the world change a little bit late in the evening on August 19, 2023. Andra Dawn Cahoon Coccimiglio, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, peacefully left this world just as she had hoped, sleeping in her bed, at the age of 73. She bravely battled stage 4 colon cancer on her own terms and while living life to the fullest. She fought until her Heavenly Father, in whom she had complete faith, called her back home. The Lord knew how much Ande loved her family and He generously gave her two weeks of precious time with them at her bedside, sharing their love and gratitude for the privilege of knowing her. She was able to teach and reassure us all, testifying that she knew where she was going and that it was a beautiful place. “I love you” was said again and again, and fittingly, were the last words she said in this life. Her bedroom became a sacred place and none will forget the holy feeling felt there.

Ande was born November 27, 1949 in Salt Lake City to Howard B. Cahoon and Dorothy H. Shaw. Growing up, she developed a lifelong love of horses and a passion for adventure. Ande was always the life of the party. While attending Olympus Jr High, she met a 14 year old Frankie Coccimiglio who was cool enough to already be driving his own car. They both graduated from Olympus High School and after Ande had a few adventures working for United Airlines as a flight attendant, she and Frankie were married on February 8, 1972. Frankie was the love of her life. She adored him and together, they raised seven children.

While raising her family, Ande did just about everything. She played on a softball team and a bowling league. She performed with the Schubert singers. She was the PTA President for many years and was a fixture at Snow Cone Fridays at the elementary school. Remarkably, Ande was also a 4 time Eagle Scout.

Ande had a great love for learning. She was always reading, listening to books, and sharing what she learned with those around her. You knew Ande loved you when she would give you an article she printed for you to read. She had a deep passion for emergency preparedness and was probably the best Block Captain Coordinator to ever take on the job. She had a great respect for the human body and took amazing care of hers. She was disciplined and intentional with what she brought into her body and had a gift for finding alternative means of healing. She had a believing heart and was a constant seeker of truth.

Ande lived life to the fullest. She took advantage of all the fun and joy that life had to offer. She was up for any adventure, any trip, any experience that would expand her world. She could ride rollercoasters with her grandkids that no other adult could stomach. She once completed 63 hot yoga classes in a 30 day period to win a free month of classes. She competed in a few triathlons and practiced Tai Chi. She volunteered for the Salt Lake City Olympics, learned belly dancing, helped close friends with their farms, adored the symphony, organized groups and speakers to learn about natural foods, and went skydiving with her beloved sister, Roxanne.

Of all her many interests and hobbies, Ande’s greatest love was her family. Motherhood was the great work of her life. She was a front row mom and an all-in grandma. She went to all of the games, all of the church talks, and all of the performances. Her favorite thing was babysitting her grandchildren, reading them stories, making them try fruits and vegetables even when they didn’t want to, playing games, and teaching them her dance moves. One of her greatest acts of service was the journals she kept for each of her 24 grandchildren. She compiled personal stories and pictures as well as family stories that she wanted them to remember. These journals, filled with her beautiful, trademark handwriting, are a treasured gift given to them in the days before her passing.

Ande lived a disciple’s life. She loved her Savior Jesus Christ. She was a quick and constant witness of Him, sharing her testimony and abiding love for her Savior to all that knew her. She had a deep love of the temple and her time serving as an ordinance worker. One of her favorite traditions was to share the story of Christ’s birth with her family using her famous felt board. One year, she decided to up her game and make handmade Nativity costumes for each of her grandchildren. She would gather the family every Easter to teach about Jesus and the eternally significant events that happened the last week of his life. But even greater than what she taught was the life she daily lived. She fed the hungry and clothed the naked. She visited the sick. She mourned with those that mourned. She saw those on the fringes and would bring them in. She never gave up on anyone. Volumes could be written of her quiet acts that made the world a better place. She was loyal and kind and just a little bit stubborn. She was funny. She was the hardest worker, your biggest fan, the strongest arm wrestler. She made the best bread and had the best laugh.

She was especially proud of her ancestry. No doubt those stalwart pioneers, of whom she patiently taught her children, have looked upon the totality of her life and rejoiced. Ande was an angel to so many. We are forever grateful for the promise of eternal families and the assurance she will continue being our angel until we see her again.

Ande is survived by her husband, Frankie, her children Heather (Aaron) Brackett, Trace (Niccole), Heidi, Dave (Jen), Chris (Breanne), Joe (Tori) and Scott (Ariel), 26 grandchildren including their spouses and 1 great-grandchild. Her siblings Roxanne Havers, and Howard Brinton Cahoon Jr., as well as many beloved cousins. Preceded in death by her parents Howard B. Cahoon and Dorothy H. Shaw, sister Sylvia Sue Simon, brother-in-law Jay Havers and nephew Christopher Havers.

Her viewing and a celebration of her remarkable life will be held Sunday evening, August 27, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Mill Hollow Ward Chapel, 2522 E 6710 S, Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Services will be held Monday, August 28, 2023 at the Mill Hollow Ward Chapel at 11:00 AM, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn, 3401 S Highland Dr., Salt Lake City.