Born: February 12, 1949
Died: April 8, 2023
Thomas Joseph McAndrews died peacefully at his Woodstock home on April 8, 2023.
He is survived by Caryn, his wife of thirty-six years, his daughters, Megan (Justin) Davis, and Emily (Daniel) Kidd, and his grandson, Ian Kidd. He is also survived by his former spouse, Kitty McAndrews, as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and many good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Catherine McAndrews, his sisters, Joan (Harold) Newcomer and Mary (Gary) Wilson, his brother, Patrick McAndrews, and his daughter Bridget McAndrews.
He was born February 12, 1949, in Dixon, Illinois. He graduated from high school there in 1967, and then from Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota, in 1971. He settled in Woodstock and held a variety of jobs until mid-life, when he found his calling. He proudly graduated from Saint Anthony Medical Center School of Nursing in 1991 and served for thirty years as a registered nurse for Centegra/Northwestern, mainly in Behavioral Health.
Tom loved his family and his home in Woodstock. He had great fun going on adventures with his grandson, Ian, and becoming whatever character Ian requested. He loved his pets, especially his collies. As a child he was fascinated by pigeons, and raising and showing fancy pigeons became a long-time hobby, through which he made many good friends. In recent years, Moraine Hills State Park became a very special place for him, and he eagerly anticipated spring, when he could resume his duties as a bluebird monitor there. He was a kind person, who volunteered in many ways to help people in need, the environment, and his church. He was a humble and grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous for forty-three years.