Obituary of Veronica Andrews

Veronica (McGowan) Andrews, 79, passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at Winchester Hospital with her family by her side. Veronica was born on September 25, 1942, to Charles Thomas McGowan and Veronica (Lashua) McGowan Booker in Woburn, Massachusetts. A lifelong Woburn resident and graduate of Woburn High School class of 1961. Veronica married her lifelong neighbor and best friend, Robert O. Andrews, of Woburn on January 26, 1963, at St. Joseph’s Church in Woburn. Fifty-nine blissful years of marriage graced them with five children; D. Andrews and her partner Rodney Brown of East Hampton, CT, Mary Ann Small and her husband Richard of Randolph, MA, Lesley Andrews Bennett and her husband Keith of Woburn, Robert “Bobby” E. Andrews of Woburn, and Sara “Tilli” Andrews-Wojtczak and her husband Tomasz Wojtczak of Westford, MA. Veronica was a community activist who touched many lives in the City of Woburn. She was a vivid advocate for all students in Woburn schools, especially for the students who received special education services. Her passions were varied and extensive. She was a founding member of the Woburn Citywide PTO, a Woburn Handicap Commissioner, North Suburban YMCA Summer Camp “Mother Nature” educator, and an advocate for Woburn Challenger Baseball and Ice Hockey. Veronica was an avid reader who started interviewing local and national authors in the 1990s for Stoneham Access Television and continued to work with Danvers Community Access Television with her “Off the Shelf” show that has been broadcast nationwide and on YouTube. Veronica even ran for Mayor of Woburn in the mid-1980s, against her friend, Jack Rabbitt. Veronica delighted in her coffee and could be found enjoying the company of friends sitting on the trestle benches in her kitchen. She loved her family, near and extended, and friends with all her heart and would share stories with them for hours on end. Veronica looked forward to family time at Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Maine. Veronica cherished avidly, and competitively, searching for sand dollars, reading in the sun, and watching her grandchildren, Grace and Emily Small of Randolph, and Theo Wojtczak of Westford enjoy the beach. Most importantly, Veronica loved her husband Robert “Bob” Andrews. They grew up together and reconnected while she was working in Boston at New England Life Insurance Company. They loved to dance and could be found dancing in the driveway whenever a song came on that tripped their fancy. She will be remembered by many for her love of life, caring heart, and infectious laugh. A Visitation will be held on Friday, September 16 from 4-7 pm at the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd (corner of Pleasant St.) in Woburn. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, September 17 at 11:30 am at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, 185 Lake St. in Peabody. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children 51 Blossom St. Boston, MA 02114.