The following is copied from e-mail from Tim Bolgeo (LibertyCon, Chattanooga) to everyone he knew was interested in Andre. There is nothing I can add that SUE and TIM didn't already say.
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THE PASSING OF A GREAT AND NOBLE LADY
From: Sue Stewart <hoodoosoo@comcast.net>
I regret to inform you that our "Lady" is gone. On March 17, 2005 at
2:23a.m., Andre (Norton) departed on her final journey. She left
peacefully in her sleep with myself, Ollie and Mark at her bedside.
She will be missed terribly and mourned deeply. Her passing leaves a
void that can never be filled, as we shall never see the likes of her
again. Knowing her has made me a better person.
Andre requested that, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Saint
Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis Tennessee or Veteranarian Services,
c/o The Noah Fund, P.O. Box 10128, Murfreesboro Tn. 37129, in her
memory. Because of her love of animals, Andre herself contributed to the
Noah Fund which is for people who can not afford medical treatment for
their pets.
After coming to live with us, and, as our feelings for one another grew,
I began calling her "Meemaw". This past week, she said to me, "I
have won many awards in my life, I am a Grand Master, some call me the First
Lady of Fantasy, and others call me The Grand Damme of Fantasy, but the
title I am most proud of is "Meemaw". Eventually, everyone followed suit
and "Meemaw" it was. Finally, she had gained the family she had longed
for most of her life.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Kathy Vinson L.P.N.
and Jan Hoffmann who were instrumental in the day to day care of Meemaw.
She developed a special closeness and friendship with them and, their
feelings were mutual.
Thanks to all of you for your phone calls, cards, flowers and gifts.
Knowing everyone cared so much meant a great deal to her. Her modesty
made it difficult for her to fully comprehend the magnitude of the
feelings her fans and followers had for her. However, near the end she
finally realized how much she was loved and admired by so many.
Sincerely,
Sue Stewart
~~~~~~
I HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT I HAVE KNOWN MS. ANDRE FOR OVER 20
YEARS. I WAS INTRODUCED TO HER BY THE LATE ROBERT ADAMS IN A VISIT TO
HER HOME IN WINTER PARK, FLORIDA. I FOUND HER TO BE A GREAT AND
GRACIOUS LADY AND FELT PRIVILEGED TO BE IN HER PRESENCE.
WHEN SHE MOVED UP TO MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE, AROUND 8 TO 10 YEARS AGO,
I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED THAT SHE HADN'T CHANGED A BIT. STILL AS
BEAUTIFUL AND GRACIOUS AS AT FIRST TIME I MET HER. OVER THE YEARS, I
HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE IN GETTING TO KNOW MS. ANDRE BETTER AND HAVE
COME TO REALIZE THAT SHE WAS EVEN A GREATER LADY THAN I HAD THOUGHT
BEFORE.
ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, I HAD TOLD MS. ANDRE ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS
WHAT A GREAT IMPACT SHE HAD ON MY GENERATION AND MY CHILDREN'S
GENERATION. SHE GUIDED US INTO ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC CAREER FIELDS
BECAUSE SHE INSTILLED THE WONDER OF SCIENCE INTO EACH OF US AT AN EARLY
AGE. MS. ANDRE WOULD JUST SIT THERE AND BLUSH AND SAY I WAS OVER
EMPHASIZING HER IMPACT ON THE GENERATIONS. SHE WAS A MODEST AND LOVELY
PERSON WHO HONESTLY DIDN'T BELIEVE IN HER OWN GREATNESS. IF ANYTHING, I
DIDN'T DO HER THE JUSTICE SHE DESERVED.
I WILL FONDLY REMEMBER MS. ANDRE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE AND THANK GOD
THAT I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE IN MEETING ONE OF THE GREATEST OF MY
PERSONAL HEROES.
SLEEP IN PEACE MS. ANDRE WITH THE THOUGHT THAT YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED
AND LOVED BY ALL OF YOUR SPIRITUAL CHILDREN YOU LEAVE BEHIND. NOW AND
IN THE FUTURE.
Tim Bolgeo
Auxiliary Power System Specialist
E&I&C Systems Group, C&SE
Tennessee Valley Authority, Fossil Power Group
Home EMail:
tbolgeo@att.net
[Phone numbers removed by Irene]