It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved mother Louise Andrews of Lewiston who passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.
Louise was born to Harry A. and Thelma R. Dykes on Jan. 19, 1942, in a log cabin in Orofino. She was the oldest of two children alongside her sister Mary. Louise’s formative years were largely spent in Orofino, where she cherished and often recounted fond memories of her upbringing within the close-knit circle of family and friends. In her youth, she was always eager to help with chores and household duties, even becoming a dedicated member of the Ground Observer Corps. During her teenage years, the family made a move to Clarkston, driven by the need to provide medical care for her ailing father. Louise completed her high school education at Clarkston High School graduating in 1960, and later pursued studies at Lewis-Clark Normal School (now Lewis-Clark State College). It was during this period that Louise crossed paths with Timothy Andrews.
Louise and Timothy married Aug. 4, 1962, and were blessed with two children, Derek and Andrea, affectionately known as “Kim.” Embracing their adventurous spirits, Louise and Tim relocated their young family to Sitka, Alaska, where Louise was employed at the local post office during the Alaskan Centennial. Subsequently, they returned to Lewiston and welcomed their third child, Stacey. They continued to reside in Lewiston, where they raised their family and enjoyed their retirement years.
Louise devoted a significant portion of her career to Bryden Canyon Golf Course, where she became a familiar face around town, well-known and respected by many. She was also a talented artist, with a particular interest in calligraphy, oil paintings and watercolors. Her artistic talents extended to interior design, and she had an exceptional knack for creating beautiful indoor and outdoor living spaces. Louise found enjoyment in a variety of pastimes, including exploring yard sales and thrift shops and occasionally undertaking furniture refinishing projects. Her adventurous spirit led her to savor the great outdoors, where she enjoyed camping, boating, white water rafting, river floating, huckleberry picking and mushroom hunting.
Louise and Tim shared a love for travel, and they embarked on memorable journeys to various destinations on multiple occasions, including Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, California, Colorado, Canada, the Oregon Coast and beyond.
Louise’s children fondly recall her as a devoted mother who actively participated in all of their interests, including 4-H, Bluebirds/Campfire Girls, Boy Scouts (serving as den mother) and PTA involvement. She was a classroom mom and made it a point to attend every school activity and sporting event. Louise was not only cherished by her own children, but also held a special place in the hearts of their childhood friends. Her unmistakable qualities included intelligence, humor, wit, kindness and a gentle shyness — In our opinion, it was the most perfect combination.
Louise is survived by her son Derek (Tana), daughters Kim and Stacey (Brent), and her granddaughter Paige with whom she shared a very special bond. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Additionally, she leaves behind her dearest friend, Eileen, who was a constant source of support whenever she was in need.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Thelma, as well as her husband, Timothy, and her sister, Mary.
Our family would like to thank all of those who helped provide care for our mother, particularly over the past many years as her health gradually declined. We extend our appreciation to the caregivers, EMTs/first responders, and the teams at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph Cancer Center and Valley Medical Center for their wonderful care, kindness and compassion. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Melanie Eggleston and Dr. James Pierce, along with the dedicated team at Bryden Family Dentistry, who went the extra mile in delivering years of exceptional care and providing invaluable support to our family.
Family and friends are invited to join us for a memorial service scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Mountain View Funeral Home, 3521 Seventh St., Lewiston. In lieu of floral arrangements, we kindly ask that you consider donating to your nearby food bank, an organization that held significant importance to both our mother and father. They dedicated many years to volunteering and contributing to this cause.
