Brigitte Andersen

ANDERSEN, Brigitte, 65, of Valrico, Fla., died October 6, 2007, after a battle with cancer. She was born May 2, 1942, in Germany. She is survived by her faithful, loving husband, Martin; her loving daughter, Kristina Evans, and her husband, John Evans; and darling granddaughter, Grace Willow Evans; stepson, John Andersen, his wife, Cindy, and their three children; sister, Elke Hinz of Venezuela and her daughter, Emy; and sister, Karina Lara of Miami Shores. Brigitte immigrated to Venezuela with her family in 1952. She came to the United States in 1970 to study at the University of Tampa, where she was inducted in the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, graduating in 1973 with a degree in French. She married Martin in 1973 and started a life of world travel with him in his U.S. Army career. She studied Brazilian Portuguese at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., while Martin studied Spanish. Next, in 1973, it was two years in Bolivia, where she worked for the Drug Enforcement Agency, receiving many commendations for her work. Her daughter, Kristina, the pride and joy of her life, was born in Bolivia. In 1975, the family moved to Fort Carson, Colo., and then in 1977 it was back to the Language Institute in Monterey ,where she joined Martin in studying Portuguese. In 1978, it was off to Fort Gordon, Ga., until 1979 when the family went to the Canal Zone. There Brigitte studied for an advanced degree at the University of Oklahoma while working for the university as an administrator. In 1982, the family was transferred to Fort McPherson, Ga., where she completed the master' s degree program in Spanish literature at Georgia State University. Upon Martin' s retirement, the family moved to Brandon in 1986, then to Valrico in 1991. Once again Brigitte continued her education at Troy State University at MacDill Air Force Base, where she earned a master' s degree in management while working as a student counselor for the university. Additionally, she also worked at Beth El Mission in Wimauma as an administrator and at The Spring as an education and employment counselor. Brigitte was devout Christian and active in her church, First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, serving as a Stephen minister and leader and singing in the praise choir. She touched the hearts of all who knew her and will be remembered for what people called her amazing grace. She will be forever missed by her loving family members and friends. We want to thank our church family for their love and prayers for Brigitte and to thank LifePath Hospice. A celebration of her life will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 16, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church of Brandon on Carver Avenue, followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, 121 Carver Ave., Brandon, FL 33510; LifePath Hospice, 3010 W. Azeele St., Tampa, FL 33609-2200; or The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 1400, New York City, NY 10122.