RANKIN, Andrea

Andrea Rankin nee Davidson

Born 12 12 1947 at Snowtown Hospital to Glen and Margaret, spirits she kept alive her entire life. Andrea had one brother Darryl who is 5 years older. The holidays were spent at Fisherman’s Bay and Pondalowie with family, they had a fabulous time, free range children, and being in the moment. On the beautiful beaches, and she loved it.

She grew up on the farm, was an outside girl and loved going around the paddocks with the workmen. Her parents had a German workman who came when she was in year 1, he couldn’t speak or write English, so she took it upon herself to teach him English from her primer.

From Snowtown area school in 1961 to attending Methodist Ladies College school in Adelaide as a boarder, was the next adventure for Andrea. She joined many girls from the Yorke Peninsula including a number of cousins.

Andrea was a barrel of laughs and made many friendships that lasted forever. She was part of a clique of around 10 - 12 girls who created quite a gang and as 13- to 17-year-olds kept the boarding house mistresses on their toes for a number of years. On leaving boarding school in 1964 Andrea and the gang all left to make their mark on the world. She went back to the farm and worked at a butchers’ shop prior to going into nursing. She had wild stories about this time; it was a riot. The butcher was hilarious, and so was she.

Andrea completed her nursing degree in Adelaide finishing with a Gold Medal- she was a star at Nursing. She then headed up the coast to Brisbane and completed her Midwifery.

All trained up, her wings took her to New Zealand, England, hitchhiking in Spain, Greece and working at a Kibbutz with chickens in Israel. She made her way north in 1974 and landed in Fort McMurray, Alberta and met Collin. He took her to Northwestern Ontario, where she found Kenora- the great Canadian Shield, Lakes, and Boreal forest- a place that would hold her steady for 50 years. Andrea was an adventurous traveller from the moment she left Australia visiting places all around the world and continued to do this her entire life. A trip was never far away...

Andrea found a job at Lake of the Woods Hospital in July 1979- where she held dedication, and passion supporting decades of families as a maternity nurse.

She loved music and appreciated the arts- always supporting musicians and artists both locally and those travelling through. She attended many a folk festival and live music gigs. Her house was filled with quirky art, homemade cards, and earrings that she collected over the years.

Andrea was interested and curious in people and their stories- she showed compassion, and thoughtfulness. She had empathy for people who were struggling and consciously put her energy towards them. She loved people, and when she was your friend, she also befriended your whole family.

Andrea was flirtatious, and charismatic- she connected people. She celebrated people’s successes and cheered them on.

Andrea loved her grandchildren Abby, Connor, Rex, Acacia and Odin and was so pleased to have met and spent time with them all. She played games, was silly, cuddly, and generous.

Andrea loved watching gory crime shows on Netflix, and the Tennis—usually in her bathing suit. She basked in the waters wherever she went- from lakes to oceans. If there was water, she was in it, often with her snorkel and flippers.

28 Donbrock Drive is where she grew her family- a single mom to Jordan and Jesse, who she loved tenderly and supported always. She had her doors open to overseas visitors, or anyone needing a space to be. A home that was abundant in comfort, aromatics of buns, cookies and sausage rolls.

She shared her love far and wide, a heart as big as can be. Andrea laughed and laughed- it was contagious.

Andrea leaves a legacy of love, how to be a good friend, and above all compassion. Andrea was an amazing woman, and dear to so many people. Her family, boarding school comrades, nursing pals, The Coffee Group, Paddlebags and Bridge girls to name a few. She was a much loved, long-time friend to so many, who will be forever missed and never forgotten.

Andrea died peacefully surrounded by family and friends, music, love, the sound of ocean waves and in her own bed- just as she wanted.

In Andrea’s honour a come and go Celebration of Life will be held at the Kenora Golf & Country Club on Sunday June 28th from 3pm-6pm with formalities around 4pm.