Birth date: Jan 8, 1947 Death date: Oct 27, 2024
Andrea J. Hellin, 77, The Villages, Florida passed away on October 27, 2024 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Andrea was born on January 8, 1947 in New Hyde Park, New York to her parents Nathan Segall and Olga (Kra Read Obituary
Today, I am celebrating the life of a remarkable woman, Andrea Hellin, who graced this world from January 8,1947, until October 28, 2024.
Andrea was not just a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in- law aunt,and friend; she was a beacon of love and joy in the lives of all who knew her.
Andrea had a profound impact on those around her.
As an ESL teacher fluent in Spanish, she dedicated her life to helping others learn and grow.
Andrea was next to the youngest of 14 children. Ira would tease her that her growing up her family was like The Old Woman Who Lived in A Shoe.
Her passion for education was only matched by her love for travel, and together we created memories that will last a lifetime.
Our adventures took us to beautiful places, but none were as memorable as our trip to Italy, where we explored the rich history and culture, sharing laughter and stories along the way.
Holidays were a special time for Andrea.
She cherished every birthday, anniversary, and family gathering, always bringing warmth and happiness to our celebrations.
I fondly remember the day we wandered the streets of Manhattan, searching for a famous site.
It was a bit of a misadventure, but instead of frustration (as we were going back and forth on the same street), we found joy in singing "On the Street Where You Live," turning a simple moment into a cherished memory.
We had many funny experiences together.
I'll never forget the time her sister Barbara fell in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and a crowd formed around her.
Ira quipped to the onlookers, "Move along, she is drunk!” (which was of course not true. It was a testament to our ability to find laughter in the most unexpected situations.
In 2002 Ira and I moved to The Villages. Andrea and Ray visited us in The Villages and they decided to retired to The Villages in 2004. where they created a new chapter filled with friendship and love.
Our trips and celebrations with us brought joy and laughter that will forever be embedded in our hearts.
Andrea was not just a friend; she was the sister I never had, and her absence leaves a void that can never be filled.
As I say our goodbyes, i remember the love, joy and laughter that Andrea shared with us all.
May she rest in peace, and may she take care of my son Perry, as she always cared for everyone around her.
Andrea, you will be deeply missed, but your spirit will live on in our memories and in the love you gave so freely.
Thank you for being a part of our lives.
I first met my sister Andrea when I was 3-1/2 years old and she was 2-1/2. We were sitting around our kitchen table with my brothers Rhett and Bruce and probably Peter at 13 Wilton Street. It was a metal table with a table cloth that could have been yellow or red. My father and my sister Ginny told us that our mother was in the hospital and having a baby and would be home soon. I doubt we knew what that meant but they were making us strawberry shortcake and that seemed good. I remember looking at Andrea sitting between Rhett and Bruce. I thought she was so little. She was smiling. When Deb was about 2, we used to go into her room to look at her; she was always happy to see us. After my mother took Deb out of the crib, An and I would jump in thinking this was the most fun and we would laugh and laugh. Couldn't get better than that. In those years, we always did things together. When Deb was about 5, we wouldn't let her play with us unless she gave us a quarter. Seemed reasonable to charge someone so young wanting to enter into our world. Deb never forgot that and liked to remind us about it. A quarter was a lot of money in those days. We must have known that we were charging a very high price just to be with us. Our house at 13 Wilton Street wasn't very large. To go to the bathroom from our bedroom couldn't have been more than a few steps. Even so, I was afraid of the dark. I would ask my sister if I could wake her up to go the bathroom with me late at night. She always said 'yes' never asking me why or saying anything else time after time. Just 'yes'. It would be about 2 and I would chat away while An just listened. In our family, we liked to tickle each other's back. You did mine, then I did yours. One time An "did" me to the count of 800. When it was my turn, I could only go to 200 because I was very tired and falling asleep. We were kids, after all! She used to remind me that she was owed 600 tickles. I never repaid. Can't say why. Her claim was legitimate. In those days, we used to go in our backyard to play. Looking back, I have to wonder what our neighbors thought about our "games." You see we didn't actually play together, we just walked around talking to ourselves separately and making up our own stories. Another time we went to visit my brother Rhett and Kathy his wife. They lived outside Albany and it was about a two and half hour drive from me in New York. An picked me up in Manhattan - she lived on Long Island. She had recorded all the songs we loved on tape and she played them all the while we went along. We were in our zone. When we were almost there, we thought maybe we should do this again just to play our songs.
I've saved many of my sister's birthday cards to me. One time she thanked me for always having been there for her, and for hers, all through the years. Then she said: "Of all the people on this earth, you are the one I know I will always be able to count on, come what may. So please plan on being around - at least as long as I am." I always wanted it to me first. I thought so many depended on her graciousness that it would be better if I left before she did. When we first spoke when she was in the hospital, she said "Sorry, Barb" meaning she was the one who would go first and she was sorry it was not what I wished it to be. One of the last things she said to me while she was at home was: "You're the best sister one could have." I said: "You too". An wrote me another time that she thought I should outlive her and if that couldn't be we should go together. There are many, many more stories I could tell you about me and my sister. These are just some of them. We made memories as sisters and friends all through the years. I think I loved her from the moment I saw her all those years ago.
I taught with Andrea for many years and never was There a more caring teacher . She would spend so much individual time with each student guaranteeing their success. The students loved coming to her class. They felt a sense of accomplishment. As a friend Andrea was kind and generous always thinking about others around her. She will be greatly missed by me. My prayers are with you all.
Adrea was a beacon of love and joy in the lives of all who knew her.
Andrea had a profound impact on those around her.
As an ESL teacher fluent in Spanish, she dedicated her life to helping others learn and grow.
Andrea was next to the youngest of 14 children. Ira would tease her that her growing up her family was like The Old Woman Who Lived in A Shoe.
Her passion for education was only matched by her love for travel, and together we created memories that will last a lifetime.
Our adventures took us to beautiful places, but none were as memorable as our trip to Italy, where we explored the rich history and culture, sharing laughter and stories along the way.
Holidays were a special time for Andrea.
She cherished every birthday, anniversary, and family gathering, always bringing warmth and happiness to our celebrations.
I fondly remember the day we wandered the streets of Manhattan, searching for a famous site.
It was a bit of a misadventure, but instead of frustration (as we were going back and forth on the same street), we found joy in singing "On the Street Where You Live," turning a simple moment into a cherished memory.
We had many funny experiences together.
I'll never forget the time her sister Barbara fell in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and a crowd formed around her.
Ira quipped to the onlookers, "Move along, she is drunk!” (which was of course not true.) It was a testament to our ability to find laughter in the most unexpected situations.
In 2002 Ira and I moved to The Villages. Andrea and Ray visited us in The Villages and they decided to retire to The Villages in 2004, where they created a new chapter filled with friendship and love.
Our trips and celebrations with us brought joy and laughter that will forever be embedded in our hearts.
Andrea was not just a friend; she was the sister I never had, and her absence leaves a void that can never be filled.
As I say our goodbyes, I remember the love, joy and laughter that Andrea shared with us all.
May she rest in peace as she always cared for everyone around her.
Andrea, you will be deeply missed, but your spirit will live on in our memories and in the love you gave so freely.
Thank you for being a part of our lives.
