I think of you often. You're greatly missed.

Andrea was my client for several decades. When I started doing her hair in the early 90’s, she would always be reading something of depth while I did her hair. I knew after the first few times to stop chattering as she was studying some serious stuff. Over the years though, we had some good conversations and she even helped me with some small legal issues. She still paid me even when I told her we could barter. When I moved out of Boston, she travelled a long distance to see me every six weeks or so. I appreciated that. She was one of my favorite clients. Her trips were always interesting and she was excited to buy her house and would tell me how she spent all day pulling weeds in the garden and then would show me the poison ivy rash to prove it. We had a few family things in common and we had similar politics but she would often show me the other side of things to challenge my thinking. I liked that. I think she respected me. She left us too early.

I've been thinking about Andrea all week and was moved by the memories posted here by her sisters. The story about visiting a puppy captured the essence of Andrea: her spontaneity, generosity, and the value she placed on connecting with people.

Andrea was THE coolest sister. She made a point of flying down to DC to visit multiple times a year (not easy with limited vacation time & $$). She put a priority on connecting in person. The last time I saw her was Labor Day 2019. I brought a new puppy home that weekend & Andrea thought that sufficient reason for a visit. I know it’s silly but we had such fun playing with the new pup that weekend. Of course, she brought a suitcase full of dog toys (& costumes) for my other dogs, as always. I mean who makes a point of flying somewhere because of a new puppy. To me, that is the essence of Andrea. I love you dearly. 

One year gone and flooded with many heartfelt, often amusing memories. 
I light a candle for you today, Andrea, and for all of us who miss you.

Heavenly Andrea. I think of you often.❤️.. I hear your laugh see your smile....
You left us too soon . You will always remain a wonderful spirit in my heart.

I cannot get sweet Andrea out of my mind
and heart. There are so many wonderful memories. Your laugh, cheese plates and great music..... you always helped me when I was too tired to count my $ .  How hard you worked during law school...
I am deeply saddened by your passing.
RIP

I just found out this evening about Andrea’s passing. I have been trying to call her with questions that she was always helpful shedding informed of light on things I wanted to know. I was her chiropractor and enjoyed Her company for the last 20+ years. She always lit up the room and spoke straight forward frank truths which I’ve always appreciated in people and have too rarely found. I will miss her but I am most sorry for those even closer to her including family and friends. My sympathies to you all.

Lenin Baer

Andrea made life so much richer and more interesting. I am going to miss her humor and her kindness. Listening to the speakers at her memorial, I realize how she brought integrity, generosity, and awesomeness to all the different parts of her life. May her wonderful legacy live in our memories and hearts. 

I am so saddened to hear of the loss of Andrea. We became friends when we waitressed together at the Regattabar (1999-2001) and I will never forget what a force of nature she was. I was so impressed with her work ethic, and how she never got flustered. And she was one of the funniest people I knew and just made life and work more joyful. We had many many fun times after work and on a camping trip or two. I looked up to her immensely and am so sad I will not be able to see her again. I am blessed to have known her. My love to her community and family.

Andrea started as a public defender in the New Bedford office when I was in my 25th year there. As has been said, she was a brilliant, hard working, tenacious, devoted and compassionate public defender. Qualities arising from who she was as a person and manifesting themselves in her work. For six years we worked together as colleagues first and then friends. We discussed legal issues as well as personal matters and preferences. When she found out I was a writer, she wanted to read my work and I am indebted to her for certain published poems written because of her. Upon learning of her passing a few days ago, this became the only way for me to say good-bye:

The Sands of Cabo San Lucas
          for A.L.DeVries (1964-2019)

She always told me that the
beach sand at Cabo San Lucas
is like small flakes of soft gold 
and that sunsets were sparklers
when she watched them lying on
a chaise lounge through the sand
she’d kidnapped between her toes.

She even sent me a photograph
of recumbent bare legs and feet 
she claimed to be hers pointing to a
blazing sun sizzling into the ocean.
On its back, a note imploring me
to look at that sun through her toes;
but I could never see what she saw.

There were other things she told me.
Some made me laugh until I cried;
some broke my heart so I just cried.
She wanted to peruse my poems.
Some made her laugh until she cried;
some broke her heart so she just cried.
(Did I ever thank her for reading them?)

When I learned she’d left for some
celestial beach, I opened a battered box
with a black pen set and a wind up sheep
she had once given to me and found 
that photograph of very pale bare legs
and bare feet and saw the sunset glowing,
a bright sparkler, between her toes.



  

So sorry to hear about Andrea. She was such a part of our family when the kids were growing up, helping both Terrell and I manage our daily life. I recall around 1997 winning two huge projects at once, standing in my driveway trying to figure out who to hire for what task. Andrea pulled up in the car with the kids, bringing them back from some after-school activity. When she got out of the car, I said, half in jest, half pleading, “Andrea, do you have time this summer to manage all the accounting for two multi-million dollar projects?” She didn’t drop a beat, “Sure, I could do that. Sounds like fun.” Ha! That was Andrea, always up for the challenges of the Janney family life. We will always love and miss her.

   I can’t remember the exact date Andrea first came into our lives - sometime in late 1991 or ‘92 - but I do remember from early on, she was an influential role model to our then toddler Lilli. Lilli and her older brother Freddy loved her like a big sister. I loved her like a little sister and my husband Chris and I were wowed by her ability to flow between childcare duties and small office administrative tasks for both of our businesses. Andrea also served as sous chef for many a Lamb/Janney dinner party; everyone who came into our home loved her and treated her like an adjunct family member.
   The last time we saw this beautiful woman was this past July when she and Buddy came to Lexington for a family bar-b-que to celebrate Freddy and Lilli being in town at the same time. Lilli was getting ready to move to LA for a project, and the ever-thoughtful Andrea brought her a gift and a heartfelt note. She was a gem of a human being – gracious, wry, generous, and always the bearer of the world’s best guacamole. 
   Even all these weeks later, it’s hard for me, and I’m sure for everyone, to really believe Andrea is gone. Every time I see a picture of her smile, I can hear the sound of her laughter and hope that is something I never forget. Much love at this sad sad time to her wonderful dad Dave, and her beautiful sisters Hilary, Andrea and Courtney. Andrea, you are embedded in our family heart. 

Since Andrea became my brother's and my babysitter when I was two years old, I don't remember a time in my existence without her. I idolized her - she loved cats, so I loved cats. She had a cute giggle, so I had a cute giggle. She pulled her sweatshirt sleeves over her hands, so I did, too.

Every December, Freddy and I would get to sleep at her house for a night and go to The Charles Hotel's Christmas brunch with her the next day. I was always thrilled to get to spend time with her and Jimmy and then dress "fancy" for the brunch where we would get to decorate cookies and see Santa. One year, I took the responsibility of packing for both Freddy and myself. When we got to Andrea's house, we opened up my duffle bag. It turned out I had forgotten tights for myself - instead packing a leotard - and brought the wrong kind of shirt for Freddy. Andrea didn't panic or chastise me at all. Instead, she laughed and made what I had brought work. That is why, as Freddy mentioned, no other babysitter could compare to her. She had a plan but always knew how to go with the flow, too, teaching us how to move through the world with both the fire and ease that she had.

I remember being devastated when she told us she had to move on to go to law school. I was losing my best friend - the person I could talk to about anything and who always gave the best advice. I loved all of our chats, even when she was admitting that Santa wasn't real!

After that, every time we got to see her was so exciting. Leaving her law school graduation, I remember Freddy remarking, "Wow, Andrea is someone who is smart AND cool!" My parents laughed and confirmed that yes, that is possible and yes, Andrea is definitely both.

She was a member of our family, and we will always love her. Even now, as I pull my sweatshirt sleeves over my hands, I think of her and all the ways - large and small - that she has impacted my life. I will miss her greatly but am forever grateful she was the person to have such an effect on me at a young age.

Andrea was the first babysitter my sister and I ever had and it turned out no one else would ever really be able to replace her after that. I loved Andrea so much and remember telling all subsequent sitters in one way or another they simply were not Andrea and my sister and I just wanted to have her back! In addition to teaching me some awesome slang terms at a young age (what're you gonna do sit around with your thumb up your butt?!!), Andrea was also the person who bought me my first Walkman along with the No Doubt "Tragic Kingdom" album and The Presidents of the United States of America's second album "II". She had such a profound impact on my early life and my sister, my parents, and I were very luck that she continued to be a part of our family for the rest of her life! I will miss her very much <3

I have known Andrea since 2000, and I am
Deeply saddened she is not with us anymore. She had been one of my sister friends for a while and will love her to the moon and back. Andrea was such a sweet and heartfelt caring person. She had been there for me through thick and thing. Andrea, I love you until we meet again. 

I am incredibly lucky to have met and known Andrea. She was an extraordinary person whose calm and composed demeanor complemented her straight-thinking and rational mind.

I greatly appreciated her focus and punctuality when I worked with her seven years ago. Such cooperation made a difficult project much more efficient. My memories from this experience are still fresh in my mind, and I continue to look back on them fondly. I regret that the rest of the world and I will no longer have opportunities to create new ones with Andrea.

Through Andrea, I met her sister Courtney, who quickly became a dear friend whose friendship I treasure and whose advice I value. What a gift that has had an immeasurably positive influence on my life to receive from Andrea!

Andrea's story taught me a lot about persistence and resilience. She surely had even more lessons to share in a life she lived well. We can learn a great deal from Andrea's legacy.

My condolences to Andrea's family and all who loved her.

Dear sweet Andrea. You were such a special person. You will be sincerely missed.  You are gone too soon and our hearts are filled with sadness. Prayers to all who are just hearing this very sad news and to friends and family.

So sorry to hear about our Andrea. She was a dear friend with whom we shared many happy times together. I loved her very much as did many of our mutual friends who have only now just discovered this loss. We are gonna miss her whole lot. Already do now.

Andrea had a fierce intellect and a big heart. I'll miss her wry sense of humor. I'm so sad that she's gone. I'll always treasure our valuable friendship of 40 years. When she was my debate partner in high school, it was clear that she was destined to be a lawyer; her cross-examinations were legendary. I was lucky to know her. My condolences to her family. (from Laurie Heller)