Obituary of Bessie P. Andrews

Bessie P. Andrews (Amico) "Bigia", "Baisil", "Bay", age 85, of Vineland, NJ, passed away peacefully from a long illness, and went home to be with the Lord on March 24, 2025. Bessie was a loving mother, grandmother, and a mom to many! Bessie grew up in Downstown, NJ, where her family owned and worked on a chicken farm, during the depression, knowing hard work and sacrifice, but sharing many fond memories of times passed.

At an early age, while skating at the Franklinville, NJ roller skating rink, she met and fell in love with the love of her life, Russell K. Andrews, Jr. (fondly known as "the old goat"). Soon after, they married at St Rose of Lima Parish, Newfield, they started a family, and life blessed them with 59 ½ years of marriage.

Bessie also worked for twenty years at various Vineland school cafeterias as a food service worker and cashier. At the cashier, she had the unique opportunity to be God's light in the lives of many students. Her words of encouragement, kind demeanor, and warm presence uplifted their spirits and brought smiles to their faces. She was well known by the teachers and staff who lined up to enjoy the incredible presentation of meals she would individually prepare for them daily.

Bessie had an incredible talent for both culinary arts and presentation! If you've ever had the experience to eat one of her home cooked meals, you thought you went to heaven, right then and there! She made wedding cakes, the most delicious desserts, and THE BEST EVER pizzelles you've ever tasted! With her heart of gold, and beautiful God given talents, Bessie would delight in making pizzelle trays for all! These were not just cookie trays, these were works of art, made with love and many kisses, literally and figuratively!

Bessie was a longstanding member of Living Faith Alliance Church in Vineland, NJ where she faithfully served alongside Russ in multiple ministries, including the kitchen ministry. Bess had incredible cooking skills - on short notice, she could take a frozen roast, slice it up, and create a meal fit for a king. She was always willing to serve wherever and whenever she was needed. Bess's heart was on fire for the Lord! She was a devoted servant who took every opportunity to share about our faithful God and Savior, ensuring that those around her know of His love and grace!

Bess and Russ loved fishing, crabbing and digging for clams in Sea Isle City! The boat was where they enjoyed spending the majority of their time. Bess could filet a fish better and faster than all the men! She was amazing at catching and cooking them! Later in life, around the age of 60, Bessie and Russ were also members of several gun clubs and found a shared love for Sporting Clay. They not only enjoyed the sport but excelled at it, becoming the reigning tri-state area couples champions for three consecutive years! If you know anything about Sporting Clays - where up to five multiple targets are launched in all directions - you'd know that takes incredible skills. And Bess, she could wield a gun with remarkable precision, sassing Russ - that she was beating him!

Bessie was born to Samuel L. Amico and Ann (Reedes) Amico. She was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Peter Amico and Louis Amico, and sister, Fran Martin. Bessie's remaining sisters include Connie Souder, Louise Vastano, and Rosalie Sauro, along with their family members; daughter, Debbie Gottardi (Michael), son, Dale Andrews (Cindy), daughter, Donna Hameier (John), loving brother and sister in Christ, Frank Purificato and Katy O'Doyle; grandchildren include, Deven Gottardi Hamidy (Matt), Christopher Gottardi (Danielle), Jonathon Hameier (Nicole), Joshua Hameier (Jillian) and great grandchildren, Nicholas, Alex and Aiden.

The family plans to have a life celebration at a future date at Living Faith Alliance and will contact family and friends of the date once known. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor her memory may be sent to Living Faith Alliance, 1987 S. Lincoln Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08361.   https://livingfaithalliance.org/give.

****** OBITUARY UPDATE *****

A celebration of life will be held for Bessie on Saturday May 10th, 2025 at 10:00am at Living Faith Alliance, 1987 S. Lincoln Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08361