Marie Andina, a long-time resident of Zephyrhills, Riverview, and Valrico, Florida, passed away on Thursday, May 11 in Zephyrhills, FL. She was born on Flag Day-June 14th, 1942 in Queens, NY. She was preceded in death by her father Albert Schneider in 1993, mother Anna Schneider in 1997, and daughter Kory Lee Andina in 2009. She grew up in Bellerose (Queens) and Deer Park, Long Island, graduating from Babylon High.
Marie studied art and illustration at SUNY-Farmingdale, NY. She met Norman, her future husband while they worked at Airborne Instruments Labs in Farmingdale, NY. A strong courtship followed by their marriage on March 14, 1965. They enjoyed many trips on their Harley motorcycles in the New York/New England area.
Living in Hauppauge, NY for 24 years they raised their children, Karl, Lara, and Kory Lee. Marie earned her teacher’s certificate from SUNY-Empire and worked as a teacher’s assistant for Special Needs students at the Hauppauge Middle School. She was also a Substance Abuse Counselor and a trained Stephens Minister for Saint Andrews Lutheran Church in Smithtown. Marie was very active in the Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations. As the Scout Master’s wife of Hauppauge’s Boy Scout Troop 343 and the 1985 National Scout Jamboree Troop 429, she became the Troop Mother of many Scouts. She also earned her Wood Badge training beads in 1984. She was the Editor of the Bretton Woods Elementary School PTA Bulletin in the 1980’s. Her home was an open door for anyone who arrived and she became a second Mom to countless youths.
Following a change in her husband’s employment in 1989, the family moved to Valrico, Florida. She had a wonderful spirit that could light up a room. She devoted much of her time and energy to her family and loved ones and daughter Kory (who left everyone too early at age 34). Marie had a life time love and passion for all sorts of crafts and paint media. Her skill and talent will be remembered. She also loved teaching or helping anyone who asked. Her abilities were varied and she would provide instructions in almost any craft from painting, sketching, knitting, crocheting and quilting. Hobby Lobby and Michaels were some of her best shopping locations and the Sunday ads were required reading. She enjoyed making lap robes and baby blankets and donating them to Hospice. She was an active member of several art clubs and was the chairperson for the Craft committee at the Tropical Acres Estates in Zephyrhills.
She is survived by her loving family—- Norman, her husband of 52 years, son Karl (Nancy) of California, daughter Lara (Anthony) of Long Island, Grandchildren, Zachary, Harrison, and Savanna of Long Island, step-grandchildren Sean (Katie) Smith and Shannon (Michael) Brandow of California. Sister-in-laws Pat Shultz of Florida, and Kathy (William) Lane of Ohio, niece Linda (Jerry) Paradise of Florida, nephew Brad (Amy) Cormier of Ohio. She also has three great grandchildren (Keria, Sullivan and Ender) and 6 grandnieces and nephews. (Heather, Emma, Conner, Aidan, Jack and Kathleen)
A celebration of life will be planned in New York during July and in Florida during October.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hernando-Pasco Hospice, 37439 Clinton Ave, Dade City, FL 33525