Celebrating The Life Of

Andrea Sebastian

Andrea Dolores Sebastian was born on February 14, 1946 in Wynyard, Saskatchewan to Ralph and Gladys (Sundquist) Anderson. Andrea spent her early years on the family farm in the Bognor District southwest of Wynyard. Her early farm adventures included helping her mom with chores and walking to Grandma and Grandpa Anderson’s while being careful to avoid the bulls in the pasture. The hill west of the yard was a good place to pick hazelnuts in the summer and to sled downhill in the winter. She was always a thoughtful young lady and when she received a bike that was too heavy for her, she would ride it out of the yard and would then hide it in the ditch and walk the remainder of the way to school, as she did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. She would eventually win first place with that same bike after her dad Ralph helped her to decorate it for the Wynyard Sports Day Parade. She attended elementary school at Bognor, and in 1959 the family moved to Wynyard so that Andrea could attend high school as there were no rural buses at that time. Upon completing high school, she attended the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina to complete Teacher’s College. She then taught elementary grades at Elsie Dorsey School for four years in Regina. In 1967 she married Emile Sebastian of Punnichy and in 1971 they moved to Raymore where they started a plumbing business. Sons Derek and Wade became her most important career and she spent many years travelling to various hockey rinks to watch them play, while also ensuring that they learned the importance of education, hard work and most importantly family. Andrea was the glue that held the family together. She knew everyone’s birthdays, anniversaries and was the person to ask if you needed to know how someone was related.

Once the boys were older, Andrea worked as a substitute teacher and secretary treasurer for the Health Centre. She later became employed at the Raymore Pharmacy where she continued working until she retired. Her greatest love was spending time with her grandchildren whom she often took to the Science Centre and Motherwell Homestead. She was very proud of her family and of their achievements, but her grandchildren and great granddaughter Emma held a special place in her heart.

Andrea’s love of gardening showed in her annual garden harvest of carrots, beets, tomatoes and cucumbers. She made sure to share this produce with her family and friends and advised on how to best keep it fresh. Shortly after building a new house in 1978, she transplanted some spruce trees from her childhood farm near Wynyard. She dug these trees by hand and they flourished under her care and are still standing proudly in her garden today. Andrea was an avid reader and enjoyed everything from fiction to current and local events. She was always eager to share what she had learned with her family and friends. Each fall she looked forward to an annual trip to the farm where she enjoyed riding the combine with brother Rod at the wheel.

In 2016 Andrea began to experience complications with her health. This didn’t stop her from travelling on a European cruise in 2019 where she enjoyed seeing a variety of historical sites in countries including Germany, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Estonia, Sweden and Finland. One might say this was one of the few times that she put herself first as she was known to make sacrifices in order to put the needs of her loved ones ahead of her own.

Andrea passed away on April 22, 2024 with family members by her side. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her: husband Emile Sebastian; sons Derek (Lana) and Wade (Carmen); grandchildren Nicole (Justin) Gerwing, Burke (Anyka) and Tyler; great granddaughter Emma Gerwing; brothers Rod (Judy) Anderson and Rick (Bev) Anderson; brother-in-law Andrew Sebastian; sisters-in-law Laurica Sebastian, Ester Sebastian and Velma (Larry) Ladubec as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.Andrea was predeceased by her: parents Ralph and Gladys Anderson, father and mother-in-law Augustine and Martha Sebastian, in-laws Bruce and Sophie Sebastian, Diane Sebastian, Victoria and Arthur Mysak, and Gabe Sebastian.

Donations in Andrea’s memory may be made to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

The family would like to thank the medical professional help that Andrea received over the last eight years; especially the staff at Silver Heights in Raymore, Wynyard Hospital in Wynyard and the Palliative Care Unit at the Pasqua Hospital, Regina, SK.

Graveside

Memorial Service

May 3rd

1:00 p.m.

Raymore Cemetery

Raymore SK

Please bring your own lawnchair

CHANGE OF LOCATION

1:00 P.M.

ELKS HALL

Queen Street

Raymore, SK

Those wishing to send cards

of caring & sympathy

may send them to

The Family of Andrea Sebastian

P.O. Box 214

Raymore, SK

S0A 3J0

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Andrea may be forwarded to

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency

200 - 4545 Parliament Ave.

Regina, SK

S4W 0G3