Andrea Marie Blake

With broken hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Andrea Vassallo Blake on December 4, 2013. Andrea was born in Point Claire, Quebec, the daughter of Greg Vassallo and Marie Anthony. The family moved to Dartmouth when Andrea was four and she lived there for the rest of her life. A graduate of Dartmouth High School, Andrea received an honours degree in science from Dalhousie University and then went on to become a registered nurse. Her career took her to several hospitals in Halifax/Dartmouth and to drilling platforms in the Atlantic Ocean. She was regarded as an excellent and caring nurse and was loved and respected by those she worked with on land and offshore. Besides her parents, Andrea is survived by her daughter Kennedy, son Jackson and their father Alan Blake; her siblings Frank (Ontario), Carol (Fall River), Stephen (Dartmouth) and Gina (Springhill); her maternal grandmother Anna Nicoletti (Dominion, NS); her stepfather Junior Anthony; an extended family of aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins; and a group of amazing friends who supported her always, especially during the past year as she went to war with cancer. Her family will never forget the way in which these friends rallied around her, and them. Her paternal grandparents Sarah and Frank Vassallo, her maternal grandfather Pino Nicoletti, and her in-laws Rhoda Roach and William Blake predeceased Andrea. As per her wishes, Andrea has been cremated and there will be no visitation. There will be a celebration of Andrea’s life at the Mic Mac Aquatic Club, 192 Prince Albert Rd. Dartmouth, December 19, 7-12pm all are welcome. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the trust fund created for Jackson and Kennedy at the Credit Union Atlantic, through Andrea’s brother Steven Douglas Vassallo. It is difficult for words to convey just how wonderful and special a person Andrea was. She lived life to the fullest while being in the service of others. She was an excellent nurse, a beloved daughter, sister and friend, but above all else, a most loving and devoted mother. Kennedy and Jackson were the lights of her life; they meant everything to her. Now they, so loved and supported by her, will go on to do great things that will honour that love and support, in their own lives. That’s how Andrea will live on. Kennedy and Jackson wish to thank the large community of family and friends who helped fill their mother’s life with laughter and love right up to the end. They believe she continues to love and smile on us.

In Andrea’s own words,

‘With much love and abounding hope’