Mary Andrews

Mary Andrews, 89, of Rockford, IL went with God on July 18, 2019.
Mary was born in Bielin, (Poland) Belarus, April 29, 1930 to Aleksander and Aleksandra Soroka. She emigrated to the United States after living 7 years in a German war camp, arriving in New Orleans with no shoes on her feet on August 14, 1949, her sister Sophia’s 13th birthday. After a taste of their first real American food–a hot dog with the works–Mary and her family traveled to Osceola, Arkansas. The Family picked cotton for six months until they paid off their boat fare from Europe. Next, working at a hospital in Springfield, IL, she met future husband Joseph Andrzjewski and moved to Rockford with its promise of many jobs. Setting up home in the ‘Village’ on Rockford’s southeast side, Mary and Joseph established the “Andrews” household at 2727 Bildahl Street raising kids Jean, Jim and Deb.

Mary was a strong woman ahead of her time. She was a founding and passionate member of Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, singing in the choir for 62 years, serving three terms as Sisterhood President and oftentimes scrubbing the floors of her beloved church on her hands and knees. Mary was a machinist by trade for Amerock and Rockford Products. She pursued everything in life with a fervor (‘the white tornado’) and was quite possibly the first officially recognized multi-tasker. She had a passion for gardening, cooking and baking, sharing her love of food with family, friends and new acquaintances. She also loved to dance, especially the tango with Mrs. Halina Wojtowicz.

Predeceased by her parents and brothers Michael, Ivan and Stefan, and great-nephew Julian, and survived by her sisters Luba Bremer and Sophia Harbachuk, daughter Jean (John) Manis, son Jim Andrews (Dean Vance) and daughter Deb Montana; grandchildren John Anthony Manis and Michael Aleks (Netanya) Montana; great granddaughter Mirana Montana; nieces and nephews Mike Bremer, Wanda (Mike) Oslund, Donna (Steve) Saunders, John Soroka, George (Susan) Harbachuk, Jeff (Laura) Bremer; great nieces and nephews Tanya (Andy) Pirello, Eric (Courtney) Oslund, Kyle (Kelly) Saunders, Ryan (Nicole) Saunders, Morgan and Will Cramer and Jaden Soroka, and numerous great-great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 22, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Rockford with burial at Greenwood Cemetery. Special thanks to Transitions Hospice and caregivers Laimute, Mariya and Victoria. Memorials to Christ the Savior Orthodox Church.