Obituary for Andrea M. Irish (Gamache)
Andrea G. Irish, 77, of South Burlington died on February 9 at home with her family by her side. She was a kind and generous woman who loved family, friends, music, and large gatherings of people. She was quick to smile, laugh and had an infectious giggle. Her 7 plus year struggle with dementia had many things taken away from her, but her ability to laugh and giggle stayed with her up to the end, finding humor in everyday activities.
Andrea was born in Winooski on November 10, 1944, youngest of Theodore and Fernande (L’Ecuyer) Gamache’s ten children. She was a lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier Church and for many years was a lector, Eucharistic minister and Cantor. She attended grade school at St. Francis Xavier School and graduated from Winooski High Class of 1962.
She was married to Palmer “Skip” F. Irish on April 21, 1973 at St. Francis Xavier Church. Throughout their 48 years of marriage they had many adventures together sailing, visiting family farms, sugaring, hiking, and enjoying day trips all over New England. Over the last several years, the strength of their vows was apparent as Skip cared for Andrea at home, the place that she loved best.
Andrea had several hobbies including sewing, knitting, cooking and volunteering. She loved making hats, mittens and sweaters for her many friends and acquaintances. She was most known for her love of cooking for large groups of people, often catering events for Civil Air Patrol, a group she was a member of for many years. While her son was in college, she especially enjoyed hosting large groups of Norwich cadets who would come over for home cooked meals. Everyone
was always welcome at her table. She volunteered for many different organizations and groups over the years, including Saint Francis Xavier Church and school, Civil Air Patrol, Champlain Valley Fair and many others.
Andrea worked for the area hospitals for over 40 plus years starting out at Fanny Allen hospital then doctors’ offices and working her way up to be the UHC payroll coordinator and finally working for Fletcher Allen after the merger. She was a dedicated employee and truly loved the people she worked with who became like family to her.
One of her great joys was being Meme to her two grandchildren with whom she spent many hours taking long walks to pick bouquets of dandelions and seasonal berries, baking treats and enjoying time at the family camp on the lake.
She is survived by her husband Palmer F. Irish “Skip,” her brother Gerald (Mary Jane) Gamache of Beebe Vt., her son Palmer J. (Kate) Irish and two grandchildren Mackenzie and P. Colton Irish of Essex. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She was predeceased by her father Theodore and mother Fernande as well as her brothers and sisters Clement, Richard, James, Paul, Annette, Claire, Reina, and Therese.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the spring of 2022 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Winooski Vermont, with interment to follow at St. Francis Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of LaVigne Funeral Home.
Andrea was born in Winooski on November 10, 1944, youngest of Theodore and Fernande (L’Ecuyer) Gamache’s ten children. She was a lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier Church and for many years was a lector, Eucharistic minister and Cantor. She attended grade school at St. Francis Xavier School and graduated from Winooski High Class of 1962.
She was married to Palmer “Skip” F. Irish on April 21, 1973 at St. Francis Xavier Church. Throughout their 48 years of marriage they had many adventures together sailing, visiting family farms, sugaring, hiking, and enjoying day trips all over New England. Over the last several years, the strength of their vows was apparent as Skip cared for Andrea at home, the place that she loved best.
Andrea had several hobbies including sewing, knitting, cooking and volunteering. She loved making hats, mittens and sweaters for her many friends and acquaintances. She was most known for her love of cooking for large groups of people, often catering events for Civil Air Patrol, a group she was a member of for many years. While her son was in college, she especially enjoyed hosting large groups of Norwich cadets who would come over for home cooked meals. Everyone
was always welcome at her table. She volunteered for many different organizations and groups over the years, including Saint Francis Xavier Church and school, Civil Air Patrol, Champlain Valley Fair and many others.
Andrea worked for the area hospitals for over 40 plus years starting out at Fanny Allen hospital then doctors’ offices and working her way up to be the UHC payroll coordinator and finally working for Fletcher Allen after the merger. She was a dedicated employee and truly loved the people she worked with who became like family to her.
One of her great joys was being Meme to her two grandchildren with whom she spent many hours taking long walks to pick bouquets of dandelions and seasonal berries, baking treats and enjoying time at the family camp on the lake.
She is survived by her husband Palmer F. Irish “Skip,” her brother Gerald (Mary Jane) Gamache of Beebe Vt., her son Palmer J. (Kate) Irish and two grandchildren Mackenzie and P. Colton Irish of Essex. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She was predeceased by her father Theodore and mother Fernande as well as her brothers and sisters Clement, Richard, James, Paul, Annette, Claire, Reina, and Therese.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the spring of 2022 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Winooski Vermont, with interment to follow at St. Francis Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of LaVigne Funeral Home.