Mary Andrews

On the morning of November 6, 2016, Mary Andrews of Lyndhurst passed away peacefully of natural causes while in her sleep at home. Mary was 98 years old. Born November 23, 1917, in Torrington, Conn., Mary was the only daughter of John & Katherine Karisni. Her parents came to America in the early 1900's from Slovakia. Mary grew up in Passaic, where she attended public schools. Mary was a commercial studies major at Passaic High, graduating in 1936. At first, she worked in New York at Ronald Press, then in the Payroll Department at Paramount Pictures in the 1940's. At Paramount she met many movie stars and became a member of Paramount's choral group, which performed in many public places around Manhattan. During this time Mary was also a soloist at the Holy Name Slovak Catholic Church in Passaic. Mary married George Andrews in 1945 and lived in Garfield until 1948 when they moved to Lyndhurst. After taking time off to have a family, Mary returned to work in 1962 at Leslie Co. in Lyndhurst, keeping her job when the company moved to Parsippany in 1968. She worked as a clerk-typist in the Purchasing Department for 24 years until her retirement in 1986. Mary's creative side attracted her to the arts. In the 1960's she studied poetry at the New School University in Greenwich Village. In the 60's and 70's, Mary was a member of various film societies and loved foreign films. She was also enthusiastic about Broadway plays, attended many, and was often heard singing various Broadway songs around the house. In 1982, she became a member of the Art Association of Rutherford, where she developed her talent for painting and entered various competitions. She also attended various art classes, took art courses at Felician College, and completed more than 50 paintings, mostly oil on canvas. Mary was preceded in death by her husband George A. Andrews and her eldest daughter Georgette, who passed away in early 2013. Mary dedicated much of her life to taking care of Georgette, who suffered from mental illness all her adult life. Mary is survived by her three remaining children: John & his wife Gina Andrews, Bill Andrews, and Mary & her husband Fred Goudey; her 3 grandchildren, Brandywine, Justin & Jessie, as well as her cousin Helen Minchin of August, Georgia. A special thanks is given to Avis Ritchie, Mary's caregiver in the last years of her life. Funeral service Friday at 9AM from the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 425 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst. Funeral Mass 10AM Sacred Heart R.C. Church. Entombment to follow at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum. Visitation will be held on Thursday 2-4 & 6-8PM.