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 Andrea Elizabeth Rollins
SPOKANE, WA - Andrea Elizabeth Rollins, 67, the sixth of eight sisters, died in early April, 2022, at her home in Spokane. Amby, as she was called by family, was born in Billings, Mont., on Nov. 17, 1954, the daughter of Dr. George Watson Rollins and Beverley Ruth Shields Rollins.
Andrea was educated in Billings beginning at Poly Drive Elementary, and graduating from West High School. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in French from the University of Montana. While working at Tower Pizza in Missoula, Andrea studied Computer Science in Missoula and later in Billings. She studied abroad in Burgundy and lived and taught in Montpellier, France. She used her training in French to teach English as a second language to Hmong communities around Missoula. She also spent a summer as a tour guide for French tourists traveling in the American West.
She lived on Bainbridge Island and in Port Townsend, Wash., before moving to Spokane. She worked for the City of Spokane as a supervisory analyst until her retirement.
Andrea loved animals, her hairy children or fur babies. She changed the life of a stray cat, an adoptee with eyelashes that grew in, by paying to have Mr. Big's eyelashes corrected. She fostered dogs, often the ones no one else would take.
Andrea loved her little house, snuggling on the couch with her animals in front of the wood-burning stove, jewelry, Montana, her family, reading, working crossword puzzles, listening to oldies music, especially James Taylor, the Eagles and Dan Fogelberg, following true-crime mysteries, her red hair, finding flan in Paris and her independence.
Andrea was predeceased by her parents, a sister, Barbara Rollins Hubber, and an infant brother, James Andrew Shields Rollins.
She is survived by sisters Judy Bea Rollins (Elizabeth M. Haslam), Salt Lake City, Utah, and Cambria, Calif., Kara Jane Rollins Levine (Willson Hammond), Billings, Mont., and Bighorn, Mont., Ruth Brocklebank (Kent), Spokane, Meredith Rollins (Jerry Meyer), Helena, Mont., Laurie Rollins Walsh, Barcelona, Spain, Mary Rollins Grant, Billings, and 14 nieces and nephews.
Andrea's final resting place will be in Billings, Montana.
Published by Billings Gazette on May 1, 2022.
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Kim Kron
So saddened to hear of Anrea's sudden paasing. We were friends through Will James and West and I was looking forward to seeing her again next year. A gentle spirit.
Edward (Gene) Redmon
While I never kept in contact with Andrea post high school I considered her a great friend. She was smart and talented. For a while I dated her younger sister Laurie, so I spent some time in their home. Like Kim Kron mentions I was really looking forward to seeing her at the re-union. She was a great person from a wonderful family. I wish the family comfort in this time.
Gail Dunsworth (Meidinger)
Oh what a lucky girl I was. To have such a close friend in junior high, high-school, and beyond. There's a well worn path between her house on Beth and mine on East McDonald. Laughing at so many memories. RIP sweet Andrea....so I cannot consistently name the 7 dwarfs but I can still name all 8 Rollins girls!
Tom Vandel
I remember Andrea well. She and Gail (as I recall) helped me get through Chemistry junior year. Andrea had a great sense of humor and her voice was so different - hoarse as if she had been laughing and talking all day. But quiet, too. She was a treat.
Edward (Gene) Redmon
Reading Andrea's obituary gave me pause. Here is our friend Andrea, who was so talented and wordly in her travels. Reading about her life she sounded so much like herself....adventuresome and cosmopolitan. May you enjoy your eteranal life. Au reviour.
Mike Stevens
Truly the kindest person I ever met. When she asked 'how are you' - it meant she really wanted to know.
Sue Shannon (Von Eschen)
I was excited to see Andrea had signed on to the reunion website and then so saddened to hear of Andrea's passing shortly thereafter. She lived close to my house and I will always fondly remember fun times with her and her unique raspy voice. RIP Andrea.
Sandy Boland (McCaffree)
It is so heart wrenching as I read Andrea's full obituary. In school she had a special gift of making friends and touching each individually with her kindness. She truly gave herself fully in life and left a emptiness in her passing. The blessing we must reflect back on right now is she left a memory with each of us, her footprints in life is as remarkable as herself. I too was so hoping to connect with her at our reunion. Her photo makes me smile 😊
Holly Henson (King)
Andrea and I shared the same birthdate and each year we would seek each other out to say Happy Birthday! Always a sweet girl...