Apolonia Andre Obituary

Former DuPont Mayor Apolonia Andre Former Mayor of the city of DuPont, WA, Pola Andre passed away on March 22, 2011 in Long Beach, CA. Pola was born in Chicago, IL to Polish immigrants Anthony and Mary Olezchak, and now she has joined them and her brother Mitchell in everlasting peace, and is reunited with her beloved husband of 22 years, Stanley Andre (LTC, U.S. Army). Pola earned a Masters in Music degree and was an accomplished pianist and organist. She taught piano lessons to countless students and passed along her love of music to generations of young people for over 60 years. She served as City Clerk for the city of DuPont, WA, and was then elected Mayor, guiding the city for 10 years while laying the foundation for the city's eventual expansion through negotiations with the Weyerhauser Company. Pola was especially proud of her four children, whom she raised alone at young ages after the untimely passing of their father. She is survived by her adoring children and their spouses: Bob and Nell Andre, Rick and Pat Andre, Charmaine and Dan Warmenhoven, and Marilyn Whitcomb and Sid Britton. She also had a great deal of pride in her six grandchildren, Jennifer, Kimberly, Eric, Laura, Jason, and Katie, and cherished her great-grandchildren Samantha, Ethan, Finn, and Andrew. Apolonia was an exceptionally strong and caring person. She always showed great kindness to others and a passion for education. Her impeccable presence and graciousness and her keen sense of humor always added a special charm to family gatherings. This extraordinary woman will be greatly missed. A Catholic funeral service and celebration of Apolonia's wonderful life will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 11:00 in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home, Lakewood, WA. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Mar. 31, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Apolonia Andre

3 Entries

Angela McConnell

April 19, 2011

I did not know Pola. But reading the stories about her life, I am amazed at how this mirrors Charmaine, the only Andre family member that I have the pleasure of knowing. Pola must surely have been an extraordinary, beautiful person, because her legacy are those children, grandchildren and friends she has inspired, and in turn who will continue to inspire others with grace, compassion, and loving kindness.

Linda Saylor-Bright

April 1, 2011

Dupont hasn't been nor it will ever be the same without Mrs. Andre. I got to know her much better when I moved back to Washington as an adult. She was the director of my daughter's first musical program as a preschooler and my sister's first piano teacher. I also worked with her numerous times in concert and found her ability to appreciate my questionable sense of humor while remaining her ever dignified self very endearing! Rest in peace, dear friend.

Serni Solidarios

March 31, 2011

Pola sure knew how to pick 'em. A prescient risk-taker and encouraging music educator, she calls a 15 year old who she probably only knew through school talent show competitions against her marvelously gifted daughters, and talks him into stepping up and taking a church organist job playing for Vietnam-bound army recruits, giving me a unique embarkation point of my own into a historical landscape of music, history and life (oh, and 637 weddings). After seeing her picture in today's Tribune, it's given me pause to realize that it was indeed Pola who was my first "agent", and that my work -first in performing and education - and later and currently as an arts/event presenter at U. of Puget Sound - got my start through her. My world was small then, and she helped me make it so much bigger, and for that I owe her. And the encouragement she gave to a young one serves to remind me to reach out and remember that next kid I come in contact with who might need a break. Thanks, Pola. I hope Heaven has a Hammond C3 for you to play, and that some lucky new students will get to know you, and that you won't be too interrupted with Heaven's town meetings to enjoy your new life. And to your marvelously talented daughters...my sympathy and heartfelt condolences, and encouragement. Perhaps we can connect sometime! Serni Solidarios [email protected] or FBook

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results