To all Andy’s wonderful friends, family and many other members of the “Magical Andy Love Network”.
Firstly I want to thank you all for the amazing outpouring of love and support from near and far for my beautiful brown-eyed girl. She “is blown away” by this heavenly avalanche of affection. We had no idea how wide and deep her beautiful love-network reached. Josh, Gabi, Sami and I got so much TLC and we are eternally and emotionally indebted to you all. Please keep Andy in your thoughts and close to you heart.
We would like to honor Andy’s name and memory by setting up the “The Andy Hurwitz Guiding Light Program” through a cancer advocacy and support network. I am asking each of you to consider making a small $25-$50 donation towards ICAN in Andy’s name to perpetuate a service that provided us amazing support during her 5 year heroic battle. ICAN is run by Marcia Horn who is a phenomenal personal cancer guru that spent countless hours guiding us through the complex medical maze, while being personally invested and amazingly kind and compassionate.
Ever grateful – Jeremy.
ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network, is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization serving cancer patients across the United States and in 53 countries. ICAN,www.askican.org, provides cutting-edge information and advocacy services, patient empowerment tools, clinical trials and compassionate use research, as well as tumor sequencing analyses, working with members of its Physicians Council and Biomarkers Council.
ICAN worked with Andy and Jeremy during the course of Andy's journey with cancer. Andy's battle represents the paragon ICAN patient: creative, proactive, and engaged in every treatment issue, with an unrelenting focus on life and quality of life--emphasizing empowered, shared decision-making with her spouse and every member of her oncology team. The patient advocates at ICAN salute Jeremy for his utter devotion to Andy and for never for one minute losing his laser-lens focus in dealing with and resolving the many challenging issues that confronted their team of oncologists and other specialists. Andy and Jeremy did everything right, utilizing the best of surgical oncology, medical oncology, interventional radiology, and state-of-the-art tumor profiling. They evaluated clinical trials and compassionate use options as well.
Andy's bravery, optimism, and tenacity were much admired by everyone on her team, and she will always represent to us at ICAN a scintillating guiding light for those who are in the battle for their lives.
Marcia Horn, CEO, ICAN
Tributes
Leave a tributeSending my love on this day, Andi’s birthday, which I will always remember. It’s hard to imagine so many years have transpired without her beautiful presence and beaming smile. I think of her constantly. My heart is with you all always, especially today
Much love,
Lee xoxox
Love,
Annelise
xxxx
Elegy for Andy
We did stand at your grave and weep
We did stand, throngs of us 400 deep
Our tears slipped down like soft rain on the mud
Our loss leaked out like a deep pain flood
Disbelief swelled over us like a wave that day
Disbelief fused us, we knew not what to say.
You were a daughter, a wife and mother of three
You would not into any gentle night go quietly
You fought that beastly cancer, tooth and nail
You were determined that he would surely fail
You endured so much pain, chemo and scans
You were hell-bent on foiling his godforsaken plans.
You made each friend feel special, it was just your way
Your memory amazed and blew us away
You fizzled with warmth, humour and genuine affection
You ignited us all with your embrace and connection
Your sparking presence filled a party room
Your absence slits us, a knife through a loom.
We who did stand at your grave and weep
We who did stand, throngs of us 400 deep
We who have memory banks stocked full to the brim
We who carry you with us, tucked deep within.
We’ll not forget how you inspired; your fierce might
We’ll not forget you dear Andy, our brilliant shining light.
She is greatly missed...with affection, Stephen
Your memorial webpage is aptly named, you will indeed be forever missed, but the warm glow of your friendship will never fade. Your strength, courage and tenacity of spirit are an inspiration and a guide to all who have been lucky enough to have crossed your path. You leave us all with memory banks stocked full to the brim with times of celebration, sharing, love and connection. You were a most generous friend. You listened, you remembered, you cared deeply and have been there for all of us individually in so many different ways. I appreciated your friendship so much and I will always carry you tucked away in my heart. RIP dear Andy. xxx
We are so sorry for your loss. Andy was such a vibrant, radiant girl, full of spunk, wisdom and charm. We will cherish those memories and keep her close in our hearts forever. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. May Andy's legacy live on forever and may her precious soul rest in peace.
With all our love
Jonny, Tamara, Ilan, Talia and Yair Gritzman
Love,
Dana Kiesel
Marla and I met Andy and Jeremy on the day they arrived in Los Angeles. We were living in our little two bedroom apartment on Third Street in Santa Monica and Marla had arrived home from work after having stopped at the grocery store, and as she was struggling to get all of the bags of groceries into the elevator, a voice came from behind in a strong South African accent, “can I help you with your parcels” And from that day on we were all inseparable. Andy and Jeremy were staying temporarily in an apartment above us and we basically saw each other everyday from that first meeting in the elevator. A one-bedroom apartment became vacant two doors away from us and Andy and Jeremy moved in, with a lot of pressure to the management by all of us. Jason was just about a year old and as he started to walk, he would shuffle over to their apartment everyday holding his blanket calling Andy Andy – it was as if we were living on a kibbutz - those were wonderful fun times. We would picnic at Will Rogers Park, Josh and Danielle playing together – going to the beach together – then came Gabi and later Sammi.
When we decided to buy a house and move to Sherman Oaks, Andy was particularly upset, thinking they’d never see us again. Thinking back over the years, we have such wonderful fond and meaningful memories of our friendship and our connection – we are all family, there is no other way to describe it – going down as a big group all those times to Sheldon and Ursula in San Diego.
Andy had a magnetic personality; people were completely drawn to her in a very short time. Andy belongs to everyone. Thank you for the wonderful times together – for the love, the warmth of a lifelong friendship in this country.
Jeremy, Josh, Gabi and Sammi – Bella and the Dick and Hurwitz families, we have to say goodbye to her physical presence, we will cry and we will laugh as we all recall wonderful memories of Andy, but we are all so incredibly blessed by having had Andy in our lives, and her essence, her beautiful spirit and her radiant smile will remain with us all for the rest of our lives. She will live on in our memories; the love we have for her will never die, and we will never ever forget her beautiful soul.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross wrote:
The agony is great and yet we will stand it. Had we not loved so much, we would not hurt so much. But goodness knows we would not want to diminish the precious love by one fraction of an ounce. We will hurt. And we will be grateful for that hurt, for it bears witness to the depth of our meaning. And for that, we will be eternally grateful.
Our hearts go out to you and your family on the sad loss of your beloved Andy. We did not know Andy very well but always looked forward to seeing you all In Cabo at the end of the year. May your hearts be filled with all the love and admiration that we all had for Andy. She touched so many people in so many ways. Our fondest love. Victor, Lisa Silver and family.
I cannot adequately articulate the feeling of sadness for your loss. Andy's service was most memorable. The outpouring of love is something unforgettable. Although I did not see Andy often, my fondness and love for her was deep. I was fortunate to have had the privilege of knowing her. I know the days and months ahead will be difficult, but please know you, Josh, Gaby, Sammy, Andy's mom and siblings will be in our prayers.
Andy was so generous of heart - listening and interested and remembering every detail of things we had discussed previously. She lit up the room with her contagious enthusiastic, friendly personality. I respected her privacy, but also cherish our heartfelt conversations when she felt the time was right. Together, you raised a beautiful family, and it is apparent that she blessed all of you with the gift of her love.
It is indeed exceptional that one beautiful young woman had the ability to touch so many lives and hearts. It's hard to fathom she is no longer here, but I will hold her in my heart, love her always, and miss her dazzling smile.
I miss her already.
xoxo
My prayers to you and your family. Andy was an amazing woman with a big heart and beautiful smile always on her face.
May she rest in peace.
Sibelle, John and Dina Nazarian
We are so saddened by the loss of Andy, a soul taken far too soon. She fought do bravely for so long. Wishing you all a long life. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Sending love
Ari and Sonya Neutel and family
so appreciated our first meal together. She was a sharer- open and sparkly. She held true to that. Fought so hard,and didn't complain. I'm so sorry for the pain she went thru. To Jeremy and the kids- you were the best. She loved you so dearly. Xxoo. Debra
Sending love to the entire family and all who were touched by her.
xoxo
Debbie
Our heartfelt symphaties on your sad loss. Hashem took Andy way too soon. We have memories of a beautiful Mom, wife and friend. Our love, thoughts & prayers and with you all during this very hard time.
Best Wishes always
Jeff & Elana Samson & Fam.
Always in my heart,
Lainie (Maslan) Donnell
Leave a Tribute
Sending my love on this day, Andi’s birthday, which I will always remember. It’s hard to imagine so many years have transpired without her beautiful presence and beaming smile. I think of her constantly. My heart is with you all always, especially today
Much love,
Lee xoxox
Message from Jeremy
This picture against the Jerusalem skyline was taken at Mamila Mall. We had just had lunch at Aroma. We were off to Ir David to see Tamar. Josh was there and he and Andy decided to go home after lunch. I posted another gorgeous pic of Bella and Andy at lunch. Andy's knee was swollen and sore and she wasnt having much luck doing too much walking but we managed to look at a few of those gorgeous shops along the strip...it was special that we managed to steal a morning and Lauren and Julian were off work and we spent some lovely family time. Andy and I caught up and had the usual laugh. You couldnt help laughing when you were with Andy. She always had a joke ..usually dirty..and always irreverant. There was a little smile and then a bigger smile and then a comment that made everyone laugh..often at one of her siblings expense. She was fun and brave. She was bright and beautiful. She was an original. I was lucky to know her. Somehow the world is a little less sparkly now she is gone.