Maria Andrews - Van Cleave

Maria Andrews-Van Cleave went to be with the Lord on October 10, 2026. She died peacefully with her husband, Stephen at her side. She was 81 years old. Maria was born on January 19, 1945, in Vicenza, Italy. She was 2 months premature and was born in an unheated farmhouse. She was given last Rites, as she was not expected to live! However, she did indeed survive that freezing morning and went on to live an extremely full and beautiful life!

As a child, she excelled in school and loved reading and history, especially the history of the American West. She and her older brother, Antonio, constantly fought with each other. They were best “enemies.” To hide from him, she would take a book, climb, and hide in a tree to escape and read. At age 17, she met Glenn Andrews, an American soldier, stationed at a nearby U.S. military base. They married in May of 1962. Nine months later, in February 1963, her first child, Carol, was born. The family was transferred to Ft. Benning, Georgia in 1964. Later that year, Violetta was born, and in 1965 Gioia was born. In 1967, the family was transferred to Augsburg, Germany. Maria and the daughters were very involved in their local community.

Maria learned to speak German and was now fluent in three languages! While still living in Augsburg, her son Dennis was born in 1969. Later in 1969, she and the family moved again to Athens, Greece. She now taught her fourth language, Greek. In 1973, the family was transferred to Ft. Knox, Kentucky. She was very active in the lives of her children. This included sports, Girl Scouts and teaching at her local Parish. In 1976, while still raising 4 children, she entered nursing school and graduated in 1978. She then started working at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Louisville in both the ER and ICU. Unfortunately, in 1980 her marriage to Glenn ended, and she was now a single mom. Once the children were on their own, Maria wanted to be able to do more with her career. In 1986 she entered the University of California at Davis and graduated in 1988, with both a Nurse Practitioner degree and also a Physician’s Assistant degree.

After graduation, she went to work in Merced California. Because she worked with Hispanic patients, she learned Spanish. She was now fluent in Italian, English, German, Greek and Spanish! In 1993 she moved to San Antonio and worked at the Soloman Anthony Clinic. In May 1998, Dr. Stephen Van Cleave decided to add a PA to his practice, to help him care for his burgeoning medical practice. After interviewing her, he knew that she was the one. His staff welcomed her with open arms, and the patients loved her. Something else happened; they fell in love and were married in August. Although the staff knew that they were now married, Dr. Van Cleave did not tell his patients. He wanted Maria to be known for who she was, and not as the Doctor’s wife.

In 2003, they moved to Cross Mountain Ranch and started attending SEAS Catholic Church. Maria served as a Eucharistic Minister. She also supported children in Latin America. She helped the Heralds of Good News with their schools and seminary. Twice she went to India in support of their mission, especially to the underserved. She helped her husband in establishing a medical clinic in eastern Romania. And last but not least, she was heavily involved in the lives of her grandchildren. And also sewing, knitting, cooking and gardening. She was truly the woman described in Proverbs 31!

She is survived by her husband Stephen; her children, Carol Dow, Violetta Hinkell, Gioia Ferrill, Dennis Andrews; stepdaughters, Heather Van Cleave, Kim Van Cleave, and Stephanie Lutz; 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Those who wish to honor Maria can donate to Heralds of Good News. Heralds of Good News, C/O Fr. Suneesh Mathew, 1821 St. Paul Rd, Leitchhfield, KY 42754.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 8500 Cross Mountain Trail, San Antonio, TX, with a Rosary to follow at 10:00 a.m.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the same location with a reception to follow. Interment will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.