Mary Pat Andrea
December 18, 1949 -
March 1, 2019
Mary Pat Andrea, 69, died peacefully at Brookside Care Center, Friday March 1, 2019, after a prolonged journey with Frontotemporal Dementia. Mary Pat was born Dec. 18, 1949, the eldest of eight to Alfred G. and Elizabeth Anne (Isermann) Andrea at St. Catherine’s Hospital, Kenosha, WI.
Mary Pat attended St. Mark Catholic Grade School and St. Joseph Catholic High School class of 1968. She graduated from Rosary College, now Dominican University, in 1972. Through the Inter Future program of Princeton University, Mary Pat studied a year abroad in Ghana, Africa and Galway, Ireland, comparing the nationalism and cultural arts of both countries.
From an early age, while still in grade school, she exhibited great creativity and leadership. Along with her neighborhood friends, she started a neighborhood summer theater in her parent’s basement, a neighborhood newsletter, and in 1956, the Allendale Fourth of July children’s parade that continues to this day.
Upon graduation from college, her first marriage to David Gillece brought her to Baltimore, MD a city she came to love and in which she joyfully invested her creative talents for many years. It is in Baltimore that she started her career as a graphic designer, eventually becoming Art Director for Baltimore Magazine.
In 1976, working closely with her parents for Jack Andrea’s, Mary Pat created the Kenosha Hometown collection of mugs, t-shirts, tea towels and throws celebrating Kenosha, her hometown.
The success of the Hometown collection, at Jack Andrea’s, inspired Mary Pat to start her own retail business, Hometown Girl. That led to the opening of her store, Hometown Girl, as one of the original tenants in Baltimore’s revitalized Harbor Place. In 1984, she married fellow Kenoshan, Christopher Swift who joined her in the business and helped her to open additional stores in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. In 1984, she joined forces with her siblings in Wisconsin, opening Celebrate Wisconsin stores in Door County and Milwaukee’s Mayfair and Grand Avenue malls. She went on to operate a total of nine retail stores which carried product of her designs celebrating each of these local communities.
In 2004, after her divorce from Christopher Swift, Mary Pat moved back to Kenosha to join Jack Andrea, the family business.
Mary Pat was active in many community organizations in both Baltimore and Kenosha. She will be remembered for her creativity, vision, and passion as well as her talent in home restoration and historic preservation.
Mary Pat is survived by her daughter, Susannah Swift; her siblings, David (Kathryn) Andrea, Catherine Preziosi, Susan (Terry Schlenker) Andrea–Schlenker, Caroline (Andrew) Vaaler and Ann (Jim Anderson) Andrea; brother-in-law, Scott Bruss (Carol Engel) and her dear friend, Mike Foster. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Mary Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Al and Anne Andrea; her brother, John Mark Andrea; her sister, Jane Andrea Bruss; her brother-in law, Paul Preziosi; her paternal grandparents, Jack and Theresa Andrea, and her maternal grandparents, Anthony and Caroline Isermann.
Mary Pat’s family would like to thank the staff at Parkside Manor; especially her dear caregiver, Rita, Brookside Care Center and Hospice Aurora for the exceptional care they provided. The family would also like to thank her longtime school friends, Kathy, Linda, Joan, Jennifer, Debbie, Roz and Kim, they will not be forgotten.
Service Info
A Memorial Service honoring Mary Pat will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 39th Avenue.
Posted by:
Sheila M. RobinsonMay God comfort and guide you during this difficult time; and may the "peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your heart and your mental powers". Philippians 4:7.
Posted by:
Shelly RuschMy sincerest sympathies. Mary Pat was an inspiration and a true creative force of nature. How many of us will have wonderful forever family memories because those Allendale 4th of July parades - Al on the drums, ribbons flying from bicycle spokes and ice cream melting down the faces of our kids. And her Hometown collection of arty cool stuff so that how many of us now I have Kenosha in our kitchens no matter where we live. I will remember her as an iconic figure who struck a sense of awe in me from the moment I met her. Her memory is a blessing.
Posted by:
Pay EvansOur deepest sympathy to the family and friends of MaryPat. She was a kind, beautiful soul. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, Bill and Pat Evans
Posted by:
Dave and Kim HildrethOur thoughts and prayers are with your family.
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Carolyn LacombeSincerest condolences. Mary Pat Andrea is evidence of all the is good and kind in the world. She will be greatly missed and remembered with a smile.
Posted by:
Linda DodgeI am so sorry to hear that Mary Pat has passed. I visited with her almost daily when I visited my mom at Parkside Manor. Mary Pat was a caregiver to say the least. She would typically be at my mom's side and was very protective of her. My mom passed on Feb 23rd so there is no doubt in my mind that Mary Pat is in heaven and still taking care of my mom! Mom actually moved to The Manor of Kenosha in November. But I remember the day we cleared out mom's room Mary Pat came in. I knew she knew what was going on but couldn't put it in words. We hugged each other and cried. I will always remember Mary Pat. She was a beautiful lady and had a kind soul. You have my most deepest sympathy. Linda Dodge (Mary Hamilton's daughter)
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Mike, Teresa & Moxie PavelichWe had the pleasure of working with Mary Pat and Andrea’s to bring some of Mike Pavelich Graphic Design’s streetcar and related Kenosha artwork to the gift shop. We’ll forever remember her generous support and the creative connection she built with us. She had a true gift for seeking out creative ways to celebrate the “hometown”, no matter where it was. RIP Mary Pat, you will be missed. And our deepest condolences to the entire Andrea family and to those who knew Mary Pat.
Posted by:
Patty Stell HawkinsI am so sorry for your loss. The Andrea family is a wonderful part it the Kenosha community. I will pray for Mary Pat and all of you! Warmly, Patty
Posted by:
Jim & Janine BjurmanDave and family, we send you our deepest condolences on the loss of your dear sister. May she Rest In Peace.
Posted by:
C. BelveyMay the god of comfort, grant you peace at this sad time. So sorry for the loss of Ms. Andrea. We are reassured that one day soon no resident will say; " I AM SICK." ( Isaiah 33:24)
Posted by:
Lorene Wynn & Matthew SchultzSincere sympathy to the entire family on the loss of your loved one. Her unique talents will surely be missed by many. With special condolences and love to Susie.
Posted by:
Angela LefeberPlease know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Prayers especially for the soul of Mary Pat, may she rest in the peace of our Lord and Saviour.
Posted by:
Kerry and Geri ConnellyOur heart felt condolences on the loss of Mary Pat. We are out of the country and will not return until after the funeral. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Andrea family. Peace, Kerry and Geri
Posted by:
Renee RizzoMy deepest sympathy for your loss. Mary Pat had a wonderful life giving to so many! We have many items from her Kenosha Hometown collection. They bring beautiful memories to us which she will be a part of always!!!
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TW, South CarolinaTo the loved ones of Mary. I am truly sorry for your loss. May you find comfort and peace on the beautiful life she lived. And may you find comfort and hope on the the words of Revelation 21:4 and Psalm 73:26.Take care
Posted by:
Bill HammondDear Caroline and all the Andreas, I'm very sorry to hear about Mary Pat's passing. She and your whole family were always a kind and inclusive influence on the Kenosha community. My sincerest condolences to all of you. Bill
Posted by:
carol a engelMy sympathies to the Andrea family and Mike on the loss of your dearest Mary Pat. May the love you shared with her be a comfort and bring you peace. I will treasure the delightful conversations I had with Mary Pat and will remember her as a kind, gracious, and beautiful woman.
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Mary Jo MullinI worked for Mary Pat at Hometown Girl in Baltimore. She was a wonderful person and so creative and full of talent. I hope she is at peace. Heaven has gained an angel. My sympathies to all her family. Mary Jo Mullin.
Posted by:
Joe and Catherine SchulteJoe and I are saddened for your whole family upon the loss of Mary Pat.We have wonderful memories of her as a child as well as a talented and beautiful women. May the happy memories of her sustain you at this sad time. May you find peace in the knowledge she is home in heaven with your parents,grandparents, sister and brother and brother in law.
Posted by:
Larry BurnettDavid, Cathy , Susie, Caroline and Annie— profoundly saddened. We was such an incredible person. Kind, warm and brilliantly talented. You are in our prayers. Larry
Posted by:
Stephen and Lupita KoszewskiOur deepest sympathy for you loss. We know the wonderful memories Mary Pat leaves will help you overcome your grief.
Posted by:
Mike SerpeI’m going to miss knowing that Mary Pat is not somewhere spreading the good cheer and love that she had in wonderful abundance. She was a brave woman who faced life’s great challenges with grace and aplomb. So many of us were fortunate to have shared part of Mary Pat’s life and for that privilege, we are all thankful. My sympathy and love to her family and dear friends.
Posted by:
Ellen KupferSo sorry to see this. My condolences to the whole family. She was an amazing lady.
Posted by:
Marysa LentI am so saddened to hear of Mary Pat’s passing. She was a kind hearted soul who loved being around friends and family. She will be missed.
