×

Andrea K. Gavriloff

ROCK — Andrea K. Gavriloff, 79, of Rock, passed away peacefully on January 20 at Transition Assisted Living, Gladstone.

Andrea was born in Howell, Michigan on May 6, 1945, daughter of Stanley and Genevieve (Voss) Lowe. She graduated from Howell High School and then attended Albion College and Michigan State University where she majored in music education. She went on to teach elementary music in the Webberville School District.

Music was one of Andrea’s major loves and after learning piano from her mom at an early age, she went on to teach piano to several students in the Lansing area. In addition to her piano expertise, Andrea was skilled in the guitar, flute, and saxophone which she played in her high school marching band. Throughout her lifetime she participated in several church and community choirs.

Andrea later served as administrative assistant to the Department Chair of Performing and Creative Arts and administrative assistant to the Vice President of Community Relations at Lansing Community College. While at Lansing Community College Andrea completed all the written and skills requirements for the Certified Professional Secretary designation granted by the National Secretaries Association.

Andrea and her husband, Doug, moved to the U.P. in 1981 and purchased an 80 acre homestead in Rock. She had a lifelong interest in gardening and was proud of her many gardens producing vegetables, fruits, and unending flowers. Andrea was a Master Gardener and did much volunteer work for the MSU Extension Office, as well as maintaining the flowers and other landscaping at the Rock Post Office.

For several years, Andrea was employed as a financial/billing secretary for the OSF Medical Office facility in Gladstone. She later served as office manager for the Gladstone Covenant Church where she was responsible for bookkeeping and payroll duties as well as producing the weekly church bulletin and the monthly church newsletter.

Andrea loved animals and frequently volunteered at the Delta County Animal Shelter and sometimes adopted her “clients” for addition to her personal menagerie. Some of her acquisitions were required to attend classes in dog obedience and obstacle courses, in which she also was the handler.

For a time, Andrea herded and milked up to a dozen dairy goats. Neighbors would laugh at her frequent walks to the mailbox with seven or eight goats trailing behind and beside her. She also taught goat maintenance and milking to local 4-H students.

Andrea was a superior seamstress and crafter. She produced clothing as well as quilts and other special projects. She was an exceptional artist, painter, and basket weaver, as well as photographer. Many examples of her work have been passed on to family and friends as well as sold at various flea markets and antique malls. Andrea also kept a comprehensive journal of personal and family activities and events.

Andrea attended the Rock Bible Chapel and was active in all of the Bible studies as well as other Chapel activities and events. She was an extremely spiritual person and spent her entire life walking with Jesus and sharing his love with others.

Andrea is survived by her husband of 49 years, Doug; son Matthew (Robin) Gavriloff, of Escanaba; sisters Jennifer Lowe and Debbie Powell; several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her “favorite granddaughter” Emily Irizarry, of Johnson City, TN. Also surviving are her most cherished loves, her dog, Pepper, and cats, Minikin, and Mr. Mickey.

In addition to her parents, Andrea was preceded in death by a sister Karen (Bill) Mayer.

The family would like to offer their utmost thanks for the exceptional professional care provided by everyone at OSF Hospice, especially Andrea’s two special friends, her Nurse Melissa and Aide Meagan. They would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Transition Assisted Living in Gladstone.

At the family’s request, a memorial service for family and friends will be held in the Spring. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Gavriloff family. To offer an online message of sympathy please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.