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On Oct. 8 the life journey of Amelia Louise Bontell McAndrew was completed. She died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 102, being tearfully held by her family. She had been a resident of Westerly since 1938.

Born in 1915, Amelia grew up in rustic Lenox, Massachusetts. She loved hiking in the Berkshires, ice fishing with her father, and all the wonderful things that an uncomplicated life presented in the early 1920’s.

She was an honor student in school and developed a keen interest in taking care of others. Hence, her first passenger train experience was a ride to Providence to enroll in the Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing.

Her work ethic, intellect, sense of humor, and grasp of nursing principles coupled with an infectious positive attitude, resulted in her graduation as a registered nurse three years later. She was recognized by her classmates by her election as president of the class of 1937. “Bonnie,” as she was then called, incorporated the empathy of a nurse for the dying with the determination of being an advocate for the underdog. Nothing was undoable with hard work, patient focus, and a smile. During her tenure at the hospital, she met her future husband, the irrepressible Joseph L. McAndrew. Their marriage in 1938 set the stage for an unbelievable life characterized by love, caring, grit, and faith. In the ensuing years, Dr. Charles Potter delivered Amelia’s 13 caesarean-born children, an unmatched medical accomplishment to this day.

She responded to the challenge of motherhood. She was organized, incredibly patient, and always had the time to listen, encourage, and educate.

She will be forever remembered for her generous and sincere care and concern for others.

Her legacy was her family—she was a devoted mother of thirteen, Joseph Harrison (Nancy) of Pawcatuck; David (Jeanne) of Westerly, Rhode Island; Thomas (Mary) of Providence, Rhode Island; Sharon of Old Saybrook; Stephen (Judith) of Charlestown, Rhode Island; Peter (Kathy) of Centerbrook; Amelia (Robert Green) of Westerly, Rhode Island; Mark (Sandra) of Barrington, Rhode Island; Patrick of Keller, Texas; Helen (John Paul Sheerar) of Charlestown, Rhode Island; and Mary Susan of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was predeceased by her infant son Michael, her daughter Paula Pinto, her grandson Christopher (Stephen and Judy), her son-in-law Paul Berman (Mary), and her daughter-in-law Jane Rock McAndrew (Patrick). She was grandmother of 40, great-grandmother of 59, and great-great grandmother of 2.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Amelia’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. at St. Clare Church, 62 Crandall Ave., Westerly. There are no visiting hours. Burial will follow at St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly, is in charge of funeral arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com.