Andrea Campbell

Andrea L. Campbell was a woman with an amazing heart. She was cut of the warmest, kindest cloth, and had a deep store of generosity and love, from which she drew upon unsparingly to help her family, friends and anyone who was in need. Andrea was a woman of great strength and determination, who worked hard throughout her life, and persevered through trials that came her way, always remaining true to the joy that was in her heart. Andrea shared the best of times with those around her and made numerous memories to be long remembered.

The year 1955 represented a time of simplicity and happiness in the United States, when schools began to end racial segregation and teenagers everywhere tuned their radios in to hear the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. For Laurence Owen Campbell and his wife, Violet Annette (Cain), of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the biggest news of the year was the birth of their beautiful daughter, Andrea Louise, on November 2, 1955. Andrea grew up in a large, close-knit family; she was the youngest of ten children: Marilyn, Natalie, Bonnie, Nancy, Laurane, Valarie, Laurence, Debra, Douglas and Andrea. Andrea was doted on by her older siblings and although the vast age difference, she remained close with them . She and her siblings undoubtedly filled the house with their share of laughter, arguments and memories. Like the time some of Andrea’s brothers and sisters swung her in a blanket and then let her fly through the air, which unfortunately ended with her having a broken arm and 6 weeks in a cast. Not long after the cast was taken off, Andrea was pushed down at the public swimming pool and broke the same arm again.

The Campbell’s made their home for a time at 736 Dexter Place NE in Grand Rapids, but later moved to a newly built house at 946 Merrill SW. Both of her parents worked to provide for the family – her father worked at American Box Board Co. and her mother at Michigan Bulb Co. One of the house rules was when her parents were not home, no other kids were allowed in the house. Andrea thought she knew a way around this and often had her girlfriends over, fed them, then washed the dishes to hide the evidence. Many wonderful memories were made as a family at her grandma Bartlett's cottage on Devils Lake, and on holidays, all the families came together with a dish to pass for dinner. For education, Andrea attended Kensington Elementary School, where she played the flute, Burton Junior High and Central High School. Although Andrea left high school after the 10th grade, she later went back and earned her GED. Along with her sister Debbie, Andrea attended a Baptist church and was baptized.

After high school, Andrea began dating Wayne Franklin and they were married in November, 1973. However, the marriage ended in divorce 4 years later. At the age of 40, Andrea also endured deep heartbreak as she became pregnant, but it ended in a miscarriage. Fiercely strong minded, Andrea was determined to go on, and that is what she did. She soon poured her love into her “pet children,” which included her dogs, Dillinger, Brutus, Bridget and Bandit, and her beloved cockatiel, Petie, who at one time became gravely ill and Andrea gave everything just so the vet could save him (and they did). Andrea also had a plethora of interests and activities she enjoyed and kept her busy. For over 30 years, Andrea worked at Grand Rapids Press, where she had many great friends. She loved attending Saturday night races at Berlin Raceway, watching scary movies, reading romance novels, listening to a genre of music, especially her heartthrob Elvis Presley. Andrea loved Mexican food at Adobe Restaurant, as well as shrimp cocktail, snow crab legs and shrimp on the Barbie at places like Red Lobster and Outback Steak House.

Of all the wonderful things in Andrea’s life, time spent with her family and friends, towered above the rest. Loyal and selfless, she could always be counted on in time of need by her family and friends. When her sister Debbie was going through some tough times, Andrea stepped up and helped care for her child for a time. Along with her sister, Nancy, Andrea went to California to visit her sister Marilyn and her family. She also drove with her niece Cassy and her bird Petie, to North Carolina to vacation with her sister. Valarie and her family. Although Andrea’s life was happy, it was also marked by obstacles to overcome. In February 2011, she was experiencing some breathing problems and what she thought was pneumonia turned out to be lung cancer. After several months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she was declared “cancer free” in May. However, 6 months later, Andrea suffered a seizure and was taken to the hospital, where they discovered 2 brain tumors. Despite aggressive treatments again, it became apparent that there was little that could be done. With the special care of her sister-in-law, Dorothy, and the dedicated doctors and staff at the treatment centers, and later Faith Hospice, Andrea always felt she was in the best hands and was so very thankful for that.

On Sunday, August 19, 2012, Andrea heard God calling her to come home. She peacefully and willingly followed Him. She may be gone, but her memory will never be forgotten. Andrea wanted to give a special thanks to: Dr. Brinker, Dr. Booth, Susan Eastburg, Erin VanDyke and the team of Faith Hospice for the love and care given to her and her family. She also wanted to remind them: “Don’t give up hope and keep searching for the cure for cancer.”

Andrea was preceded in death by her unborn child, grandparents, parents, Laurence and Annette (Cain) Campbell, her brother, Douglas Campbell, her sisters, Marilyn Brownyard and Debra Tucker, her brothers-in-law, Edward Thwaites, Richard Tofel, Leo McMaster and Dale Marks, and a host of other family and friends. Andrea is survived and missed by her sister-in-law and friend, Dorothy Campbell of Grand Rapids, MI; her sisters, Natalie Thwaites of Grand Rapids, Bonnie Marks of Grand Rapids, Nancy McMaster of Lake Elsinor, CA, Laurane (Michael) Cole of Kentwood, MI, Valarie (Duane) Boyink of Jenison, MI; and her brother, Laurence (Dione) Campbell of Wyoming, MI. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, whom she loved very much and held close to her heart.

A service to celebrate Andrea’s life will be held on Thursday August 23 at 1:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 and 7-9 PM. Please consider your contributions in Andrea’s memory to The VanAndel Institute for Cancer Research or American Diabetes Assn. To read more about Andrea’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your favorite memory of her, visit her memory page at www.lifestorynet.com