Andrea Evans Shotz

Andrea Evans Shotz, of Bluffton, South Carolina, and formerly of Dover, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 17, 2026. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she was 87 years old and surrounded by the love of her family at the time of her passing.

Born in Worcester, MA, she was the daughter of Robert Bigelow Evans and Dorothy Dove Evans. Andrea is survived by her loving husband Norman Shotz of Bluffton, South Carolina, with whom she shared a life defined by adventure, creativity, humor, community, and deep family connection. She will be greatly missed by her son Rob Shotz and his wife Teresa of Canton, GA; by her daughters Stephanie Shotz of Bluffton, SC, and Kimberly Shotz and her spouse Leanne Mitchell of Portland, OR; by her beloved grandchildren Drew and Cami Bender, and Nikki and Shannon Shotz, each of whom brought her immense joy and pride; by her adoring brother Charles Warren Evans and his wife Sandy of Norfolk CT, and by her nieces Allison Evans, and Alexandria Evans and her spouse Sheilah. She is also survived by her cherished brothers- and sisters-in-law, with whom she shared deep bonds: Fred Shotz and Bonnie Kate Allen of Portland, ME, Don and Ann Shotz of Plymouth, MA, and Marilyn Hahn of Fairfax, VA, and all of our dear extended family.

Andrea was a graduate of Centenary College in Hacketstown, NJ and the Katherine Gibbs School in Boston, MA.

She was an avid skier, tennis player, golfer, artist, swimming instructor, SCUBA diver and certified Divemaster. Andrea was known for her love of exploration and adventure beneath the sea, including diving on World War II shipwrecks in the depths of the Kwajalein Atoll in Micronesia. Deeply passionate about the sea, she not only amassed a fascinating collection of shells but also mastered underwater photography and the daring feat of feeding young sharks by hand. An accomplished horticulturist, Master Gardener and flower show judge, Andrea cultivated flora that won her high awards for their beauty, creativity, and perfection. She served as President of the Kwajalein Art Guild. She chaired the Amateur Horticulture Division of the New England Spring Flower Show, a major annual event in Boston. As an artist, she expressed her creativity and talents across many mediums, including batik, watercolor, tissue paper collage, photography and pottery.

Andrea enjoyed membership in the Massachusetts and Hilton Head chapters of PEO, a women's philanthropic educational organization. She was a member of the Hilton Head Sail & Power Squadron and the Yacht Club of Hilton Head Island, where she enjoyed both the boating activities and the close communities they fostered. Andrea devoted more than a decade of her time to Volunteers In Medicine on Hilton Head Island, where her dedication and skills made a difference. She will be remembered as a modest, adventurous soul, a creative spirit, a quick wit, a devoted servant to her community, and a loving presence in the lives of her family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Hilton Head Island in the early Spring, and subsequently in Massachusetts, whence she will be laid to rest among her departed family members in Worcester. More details to follow.