Obituary: Mabel V. “Ronnie” Andrews, 100, of Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT - (From Biega Funeral Home) Mabel V. “Ronnie” Andrews was born the youngest daughter on September 22, 1921, to Thomas F. and Mabel V. Meehan, of Portsmouth, NH.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Robert W. (Bob) Andrews, sisters, Irene M. Kondrat and Barbara V. Robbins, brother-in-law, Stephen L. Robbins, daughter-in-law Joanne C. Andrews and niece, Kathleen (Kathy) Kondrat.

Her years growing up in Portsmouth with her two sisters and parents were happy ones. She attended Portsmouth High School, graduating in 1939 as Class Valedictorian. Following graduation, she first attended the Plymouth Business School for Secretarial Studies in Portsmouth NH and later worked at the Kenard Insurance Agency for several years.

When WWII broke-out she began volunteering at the Red Cross while still working as a secretary, which spawned her interest in nursing. In early 1945, to help fill a shortage in nursing she applied to and was accepted into the U.S. Cadet Nurse Program.

After WWII ended she went on to complete her RN Diploma degree in 1948 at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital School of Nursing in Boston. Her first official RN job after graduating was at Togus Veterans Hospital in Augusta, ME where she had the great fortune to meet her future mother-in-law, who introduced her to her son Bob who would become Ronnie’s husband in 1950.

Bob and Ronnie spent two carefree years in Augusta, ME before moving to Connecticut in 1952 – first to New Britain, then to Middletown & eventually Haddam Neck. There were many changes in her life, but Ronnie always remained flexible and adaptable. Above all else she loved being a mom. She was loving, devoted, and absolutely committed to her four children.

Among her children’s fondest earlier memories include when she would often read to them during lunch, their walks on Falls Rd in Middletown before it was developed, and the twice weekly jaunts in the summer to Millstone Beach in Niantic CT, well before the power plant was erected.

Ronnie returned to nursing part-time early on during some lean years for the family, and again later when her children were older, she completed a series of nursing refresher courses held at Middlesex Memorial Hospital and rejoined the profession working many years on the “Old South 4”.

Prior to this she enjoyed working part-time in the shoe and jewelry departments at Bunces’ Dept Store in Middletown. She dedicated 8 years to running her husband Bob’s home dialysis treatments when they lived in Haddam Neck – treatments were 3 times per week and 7 hours each time. After retiring from nursing, she also worked as a volunteer at Middlesex Memorial Hospital for a brief period.

Later in life she became a confidant and friend to all her children, especially to her son Chris. For many years they took biannual car trips together to Pittsburgh, PA to visit Laura and Hank. She also spent many happy Memorial Day weekend trips in Swiftwater NH with Eric and family, in addition to frequent annual July 4th trips to Ossipee Lake NH visiting her sisters and their families. She looked forward to and really enjoyed Peggy’s extended visits with her – she loved being pampered with freshly made morning coffee and different recipes – these visits further strengthened their appreciation of one another and their bond.

Ronnie was a late blooming, hard core animal lover who lovingly surrounded herself with very special dogs, cats, parakeets, and many other animals, including her daughter’s beloved squirrel monkey. She was very proud of her Irish heritage - St Patrick’s Day was always a special holiday where she loved to toast with either a Guinness, or a traditional martini.

Ronnie loved music and was an early Amazon Echo enthusiast and loved singing along with it. She became an avid fan of UConn Men’s & Women’s Basketball, Boston Red Sox, and New England Patriots. She acclimated to technology later in life when most people her age shied from it.

She moved to Haddam Neck in 1971 where she spent the next 45 years before moving to The Saybrook at Haddam assisted living facility in 2016. She lived alone for most of her time in Haddam Neck as sadly, she lost her beloved husband, Bob in 1987. She loved Haddam Neck with all its quiet country charm and solitude.

She was a proud Registrar of Voters for 10 years and served on the Haddam Committee of Aging for 3 years. Upon moving to The Saybrook at Haddam, she adapted well and made many friends. It really became her home.

Ronnie had a goal of reaching her 100th birthday which she accomplished in September of 2021 & celebrated with the best chocolate cake ever and a small family gathering at her facility. She seemed eternally younger than her age and she was very proud of that. Ronnie was always engaging, smart, funny, and enthusiastic with an inquisitive nature.

Spirited and opinionated discussions were the norm. Those qualities drew people to her all her life. She was a political junkie before it became fashionable. She was someone who appreciated beauty in things – she was very visual. She loved beautiful colors and designs and expressed that through her choice of clothing and jewelry. She was an avid reader but eventually had to resort to books on tape.

When she lost her eyesight, besides not being able to read, she could no longer see those things of beauty that she so appreciated. It was a tough time for her on many levels, but again she adapted as best she could with both grace and dignity. Even in her final days and weeks, she fought to stay focused on daily goings on, even though she became more dependent on others to care for her.

She stayed mentally sharp during her later years and worked hard to remain that way up until the end.

Survived by her sons Christopher Andrews of Manchester CT and Eric Andrews (Jeannie) of Sherman CT, daughters Peggy Andrews of Ettersburg CA and Laura (Hank) Colker of Pittsburgh PA, her niece, Barbara McKechnie of Kittery ME, and other beloved nephews and nieces. A special thanks and love to Deloris Lewis, her beloved aide and friend who she adored and who cared for her up until the last days of her life.

A private Mass and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be at Haddam Neck’s Rocklanding Cemetery, in the shadow of Ronnie’s old home…

Donations in Ronnie’s memory may be made to the CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd, Newington CT 06111 or the Protectors of Animals 144 Main St, Unit O, East Hartford, CT 06118.