Nancy Anne Andrews

Nancy Anne Andrews, 62, passed away early Tuesday morning, April 21st. She died of metastatic breast cancer that recurred after a 14-year remission. Nancy was born in Rivera, California to James Edgell and Pauline Knight Robertson, their fourth and youngest child. Three years later the family moved to Woodland Hills where Nancy grew up amid the golden rolling hills and weeping eucalyptus and pepper trees of Southern California. Nancy graduated from Taft high school then obtained her AA and completed the nursing program at Pierce College, graduating in 1977. She began her pediatric nursing career at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Nancy was a dedicated pediatric and women’s health nurse for over 38 years – working at Emanuel in Portland, Kaiser in Vancouver and Maxim Health Services in Portland. Nancy was a voracious reader – regularly checking out four to six books at a time from the library – usually memoirs. She’d read the local newspapers with great thoroughness – especially the obituaries – and always seemed to know the most incredible details about local lore and happenings. She routinely cut out articles to treasure or send to friends and family. Nancy’s life was rich because of her curiosity and capacity to care for others. She will be missed by scores of nurses in the Portland/Vancouver area and friends across the country. Nancy married Greg Andrews in 1977. Together they rode halfway across the US on the Bicentennial Trail before relocating to Vancouver, WA, where they bought their first home in 1980. They had two children, Robert and Royce, before divorcing in 1997. Nancy always maintained her ties to California. She’d travel by train with her children twice a year to visit friends and family. She even tried relocating there in 2010 but after 2+ years returned to Vancouver and fell in love with her home and community all over again. Nancy is survived by her son Robert Andrews, daughter Royce Andrews (Peace Corps alum!) and siblings: Suzanne Michalik in Vancouver, Arthur Robertson and wife Lynnette in Camarillo and Tom Robertson and wife Vickie in Ojai. She also leaves behind nephews: Steffan, Geoffrey and Justin and niece Jessica. We love you Nancy. We will always remember. Her family is planning a memorial sometime in July in Vancouver. Donations may be made to Make a Wish Foundation or Ronald McDonald House, Portland.