Rachel Anne Andres

Rachel Anne Andres, 48, passed away peacefully, on May 15, 2020, at U.F. Health, in Gainesville, Florida, with her son, Tyler, and her mother, Pam, at her bedside. Rachel was born on August 11, 1971, in Baltimore, Maryland. The family moved to Washington, DC, shortly after, and then to Charles County, Maryland, a few years later.

She was the youngest child and only daughter of Manuel P. Andres, known to all as “Andy”, and Pamela Gill Andres. She moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1989, with her parents. Upon moving to Jacksonville, she attended Florida Community College of Jacksonville, and graduated as a nursing assistant.

In February of 1991, she blessed us with our first grandchild, Tyler J. Andres.

Rachel was preceded in death by her father “Andy”, whom she loved so very much, her grandparents Helen and Bob Gill, and grandparents Rosita and Pascual Andres. She is survived by her son, Tyler J. Andres, her mother Pamela Gill Andres, brothers Robert and Edward (Desma) Andres, nieces Claire and Alexa, nephews Robbie, Will, Liam, and Colin Andres, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins in the U.S., Canada, and the Philippines.

She was fortunate to travel with her son and Dad to the Philippines, in 2006, where she was welcomed by her family and able to meet them and enjoy the culture and wonderful food.

Rachel was active in many sports in her youth, including softball and track In high school she enjoyed field hockey, and in Jacksonville she enjoyed softball, bowling and (most of all) fishing with her Dad.

She was an avid baker and always baked her grandmother’s recipe for Toll House cookies. She was the only one who could replicate the recipe exactly. She baked many other cookies, candies, and cakes, which she shared with her family and friends each year during the holidays.

Rachel had an upbeat personality and was known for her positive and joyful outlook on life. She will be greatly missed and always remembered for her generous, kind, and loving spirit, as she moves among us.

Rachel was definitely a people person. She had many dear and close friends both here in Jacksonville, as well as in Charles County where she grew up especially her long time childhood friend Angie Lieb Keesee.

Rachel had a great love for all animals and they loved her, especially her dog Buddy, and her cats, Blue and Bella.

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude for all the teams of hospital physicians and ICU staff, who treated her with outstanding care and compassion for 23 days. One of the critical care physicians (Dr. Carr, who is going off service) said he was very worried about her lungs and it was “all hands on deck for Rachel.” The nursing care was excellent, compassionate, and loving to her. It truly was the best care anyone could receive, and, as her mother, I was so grateful to be able to be at her bedside 24/7, for 23 days.

I am comforted to know that she is with her Dad, and I will be united with them when Jesus calls me home.

Until then, my sweet, beautiful daughter, I will love you forever. You have a large part of my heart and I will deeply miss you, now and forever. – Love, Mom.

The family will notify friends when funeral services will take place.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: UF Health Shands Hospital, Office of Development, P.O Box 100386, Gainesville, FL 32610. Please indicate on your gift that it is directed to UF Health Shands Hospital and that it is in Rachel Andres’ memory.