PINKAS, Andrea

Andrea Pinkas, daughter of Sam and Kim and sister to Ellen passed away Sept 23, 2016 following a short battle with cancer. She passed peacefully surrounded by her family. Andrea loved life. She had good friends from her childhood in Woodstock, her school days at Warnica Public and Innisdale Secondary school and her years at Wilfrid Laurier University. She had friends internationally through her travels in Europe and years living in Scotland and from her work at Medisystem in Barrie. They all have had such an impact on her life. Animals were Andrea’s passion. Her heart was so full of love for all animals. Her Coco was extra special. She rescued him and loved his fear away. Her ashes will be kept with his. Andrea was an accomplished equestrian, a volunteer and financial supporter of animal rescues throughout the province. She described being in the presence of animals as her “happy place”. Family was very important to Andrea. Her cousins surrounded her with love. They were like sisters and brothers to her. Ali and Ian, Sky, Keiko, Rosie and Jacques, Bryce and Scott, Samantha, Sarah and Kaileigh, Reilly and Caitie,  Conal and Kay and Heather were her ” network”. The “aunts and uncles”( Leslie, Mikey, Laurie, Jill and Patric, Gail and Grant and David were her safety net who she knew would always protect her. Gregg and Marilyn (her only “real” aunt and uncle, as she described them) were like a second set of parents for her. At age 5 while mourning the death of her Gramma and Poppa she asked if Gregg and Marilyn could take care of her if anything happened to her Mom and Dad. We knew they would. Andrea said that the best gift her parents ever gave her was her sister Ellen. Andrea loved Ellen deeply and unconditionally. She knew and said often that she was so lucky to have Ellen and to be loved so much by her. Ellen took care of Andrea and had a relationship with her that was beyond being her sister. It was a connection that will never be broken. Andrea was the “X to Ellen’s O. Ellen kept Andrea safe, made her feel loved and protected her throughout her illness. Andrea passed away quietly holding Ellen’s hand. We are so thankful for the wonderful medical support provided to Andrea.  Dr. Kelly Emerson was always just a text message away. She truly went above and beyond and we are forever grateful to her for her kindness, incredible medical competence and gentle manner. She made this horrible journey bearable.  We are so thankful for Dr. Sandy Isaac and Carla Ritchie from the Barrie Community Health Centre who were there for our whole family throughout Andrea’s  journey. They treated Andrea with gentle kindness and respect and she credited them with changing her mind about doctors. Andrea was everything we wanted and needed. We just needed and wanted to have her with us longer. We miss her every minute of every day. We have wonderful memories of our truly perfect daughter who was so full of love. She will always be part of our life. We will keep her in our hearts forever. Friends are invited to join us at Harbour House Grill in Lefroy  on October 4 from 5 to 9 pm to celebrate Andrea’s short but beautiful life. Please join us for some of Andrea’s favourite food, drinks and music and share your stories and memories of her. ( Harbour House Grill  is located at 727 Harbour St in Lefroy ) In memory of Andrea, those wishing to make a donation are encouraged to consider the Barrie Branch of OSPCA or Toronto Humane Society.