Beatrice E. Andrews

Bea E. Andrews, 94, of Ronks, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Born on October 2, 1930 to Beatrice Cliff Bard Buckwalter and William Petrie Bard, Bea was a fun-filled, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother many times over. 

A 1948 McCaskey High School graduate, Bea met her husband of 74 years, Don Andrews, at a festival she attended with friends as a teenager. Bea worked as a soda jerk, cafeteria baker at Conestoga Valley Middle School and as a nurse’s aide at Conestoga View. However, Bea’s primary role was as a wife to her beloved husband Don, and mother to her six children: Janice (Ken Williamson) of Ephrata, Don (Peg) of Lancaster, Mike (Karen) of Mountville, Mark (Barbara) of Lancaster, Kathy (Terry Lukehart) of Lancaster, Julie Reik of Ephrata. 

Bea’s love for her family was apparent to anyone who met her. As the matriarch of the family, she was the keystone and orchestrator of huge family gatherings to celebrate special occasions and holidays. She had a way of making everyone feel special and loved. Her Christmas Eve gatherings and family/friends picnics were annual events that brought everyone joy. Music was also an integral part of Bea’s life. She loved to sing, listen and encourage the grandchildren to play music at family get togethers. Bea delighted in attending children’s concerts, musicals and plays.

Bringing all friends and family closer to knowing and loving God was a personal mission for Bea. She often spoke about her love for God, frequently asked for prayers for those in her family and those in need. If Bea heard of someone in need, her generosity and desire to help was an example to all. Bea often said that her desire was for each person to, “love the Lord with all your heart, love each other and love yourself” and if you did that, “you will have love leftover for others”. 

A lifetime member of Leacock Presbyterian Church for over fifty years, Bea served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. She loved to help people, she loved children and her enthusiasm for life was evident in all that she did. Bea enjoyed serving as a den mother and witnessing two of her sons become Eagle Scouts. Every fall, Bea and Don would travel to her beloved Cape May with friends to enjoy the beach and Victorian architecture that she adored. She was also a fabulous baker. Well known to the local community for her famous apple dumplings, pumpkin and pecan pies. Bea baked them by the dozens to help support the Ronks Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary at the annual chicken corn soup supper. Bea and Don were active in their community, participated in monthly meetings with Strasburg Senior Citizens in their later years and enjoyed bowling together. 

Bea will be remembered as a wise woman of faith who loved God, her husband, children and people. She was a strong, caring, kind-hearted, fun woman who was blessed with what she would refer to as a “large, crazy family”. Her love for others and generous spirit led her to talk with others and give freely of what she had. Bea is survived by her six children and will be missed by over 56 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren and those who had the privilege to know her. Bea was preceded in death by her loving husband Don, grandson Jason Triutt, siblings William C. Bard, Dorothy May, Richard P. Bard and son-in-law Greig Reik.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family at 1:00pm followed by a funeral service at 2:00pm on Sunday, December 15 at the Leacock Presbyterian Church 3181 Lincoln Hwy E. Paradise, PA 17562. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Leacock Presbyterian Church community meal in Bea’s memory.