Andrea J. McConnell

Andrea J. McConnell MILLIS Andrea J. (Odle) McConnell, 53, a longtime resident of Millis, died after a courageous six-year battle with breast cancer. She was surrounded by her family Thursday morning, Nov. 20, 2008, when she passed at MetroWest Medical Center in Natick. Born and raised in Caldwell, Idaho, she was the daughter of the late S. Gene and Dorothy (Cudd) Odle. While in her teens, she moved with her family to Alfred, N.Y. Andrea graduated from the Alfred Almond Central School and continued her education at Alfred University, subsequently earning a master of social work from Boston University. Andrea was employed for several years as a clinical social worker with the Kidney Center in Brighton. She married in 1985 and settled in Millis where she made a home for her family. Her foremost concern was fostering the physical, emotional and educational growth of her sons. For the past several years she lovingly provided childcare for three children, Timmy, Ciaran, and Danny. An active volunteer with the Millis schools, Andrea was also a former Sunday school teacher at the Church of Christ Congregational and a past member of the Millis Finance Committee. She enjoyed long walks with friends and her beloved black lab, Byron. She is survived by her husband, Joseph T. McConnell; and three sons, Andrew Scott McConnell, Joseph Patrick McConnell, and Ryan James McConnell, all of Millis. She was predeceased by two brothers, Scott Odle and Shawn Odle. A memorial service will be held at the Church of Christ, 142 Exchange St., Millis, on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m. If desired, donations may be made in Andreas memory to the MaryEllen Locher Foundation, P.O. Box 4032, Chattanooga, TN 37405. This foundation provides scholarships for secondary education especially to children who have lost a parent to breast cancer and children of breast cancer survivors. (www.maryellenlocherfoundation.org). For guest book, obituary, and additional information, see www.robertsmitchell.com.