Obituary
Andrea, 54, passed, at home, on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from ALS, and complications thereof. ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Andrea’s life began in Garden City, Michigan, on May 18, 1969, born to George and Toni (Porta) Zelenka. She was followed a year and a day later by her brother Cory George, and by another brother, James Joseph, 2 years, 1 month and 1 week later. The three grew up never knowing a time without the other and were always partners in crime in little kid mischief.
She was named Andrea so that she could be called Andi, but as soon as she could talk in sentences, which was early on, she announced that her name was Andrea! Of course, her brothers continued to call her Andi, if for no other reason than to get her goat! By the time she was in college, her stance had softened, and some cherished friends were permitted to call her Andi. Later, as she climbed the corporate ladder and had moved to the Kansas City area, she decided that her name should be pronounced “On-dray-uh.” She always knew her own mind, and she listened more than some of her friends and former co-workers realized.
Andrea learned early on how to survive in a male dominated environment, so it wasn’t surprising that she excelled in the then male dominated field of computerized information technology (IT.)
Her most recent employment was with Favorite Healthcare Staffing as Director of Technical Program Management. Prior to that position, she had spent many years at the University of Kansas Hospital Authority and Capgemini, respectively.
Andrea never married, and had no children, but loved her nieces and nephews as her own, and of course animals always held a soft spot in her heart, especially cats, but also one very special dog named Kali.
Her nieces and nephews (in order of their ages) include Sam, Maddie, Jace, and Haileigh. She also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Andrea was outgoing, and never met a stranger. She collected friends from every walk of life, usually from her array of co-workers, their spouses, and their partners, but she also maintained friendships from her high school and college days. You could always find her, in an office building, in a store, or in a restaurant, by following her infectious laugh.
She attended Huron High in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and then went on to Western Michigan University. Not long after, she moved to Kansas for a job. She remained upwardly mobile her entire life and remained living in the Kansas City Area until her death.
She played the flute in high school and loved to sing. She sang for a while in the choir at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church
She also studied ballet for several years, paying for her classes by working a part-time job at the dance studio. By the time she was in Middle School, she was dancing on pointe (on her toes.)
She will be sorely missed.
Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Toni, and family,
Often throughout life, as I have known since I knew Andrea, was what would she do in this circumstance? She would go directly to the top, to get the results, when the person on the phone could not assist her. I feel she got that from her mom, working in a law office, and also her insight from her positions in the business world. Anyway, Andrea and Toni, both helped me when I was dealing with a mentally abusive husband. Stand up for yourself 🙂 and I did.
I will still continue to say, “What would Andrea do?” ~ until the day I die.
We met at KUHA (Kansas University Hospital Authority) and became friends from day 1, when I returned from adopting my daughter.
I will always love you my dear friend!
Cathy
You are in my thoughts, Toni. I’m sorry I never had the chance to meet Andrea. Time will help, but she will always be in your thoughts and prayers.
Aunt Toni I am so sorry to hear of our loss. I know that she with your help fought the fight. Andrea and you have been in my prayers. I know my brother Tim stayed in touch with you. Sadly we lost Tim as well. They are both in a very special place with our Lord. You have my deepest sympathy. Your nephew Scott. I Love you! Please stay in touch.
Thank you Cathy, Alice, and Scott, You are all very precious to me.
Cathy, you made it here from another state, and on crutches, to visit Andrea when she was alive. That was so important to her that she ordered a smaller lift chair for your use should you ever make it back. To Andrea, you were a very special friend. You were the first, and only, friend to send a tribute for her via this forum.
Alice, at 91, you’re still one of the most wonderful cousins any of us could have. Love you.
Scott, you and Tim were always close to my heart. I loved all of your siblings as well, but you and Tim were babies when your dad left the Marine Corp, and he and your mom moved home. At first you all lived on the 3rd floor of the house we lived in, so I got to cuddle with you guys and rock you both all the time. I babysat for you two, before all the others came along. I remember e-mailing with you until life got in the way for both of us. And Tim and I started chatting around the time Yvonne passed. He listened to all my rants, and served as a sounding board for me. Who was caring for who then, huh? Your e-mails were important to me, and Tim’s text messages were important to me as well He walked a long way with me through Andrea’s ALS journey. I knew Tim had passed. He told me about his cancer himself, and he began bugging me to go for a past due MRI because of pancreas irregularities. To me, you and Tim will always own a chunk of my heart. Tim’s passing must be of particular loss to you. I’m sorry for your loss, Scott
I am so very sorry for your loss.
A cute little girl who became a beautiful woman….beautiful inside and out. ALS is a monster of a disease. Gone too soon…Andrea…at peace.
Andrea was a special friend. There are so many stories I think of when she comes to mind. One I love to tell is of her and me at Thanksgiving and my much younger cousin. My cousin was being sassy that day and so Andrea and I chased and picked her up to carry her down to the lake and told her we were going to throw her in…. Andrea and I were laughing so hard that my cousin was able to wriggle free and ran screaming into the house. We high fives each other laughing so hard and said that will make her think twice! She’ll always has a spot in my heart and will forever be loved and remembered.
Toni, I am so sorry for your loss. I met Andrea at Compass Minerals in Overland Park, KS in
1995 or 1996. We became fast friends in an office of only 3 women. She was always so helpful and made our jobs fun. I am sorry she had to endure ALS. I have another close friend who lossed a relative to this horrible disease. You and your family are in my prayers. Love, Cindee
Miss you Andrea and your laughter with your fun at every opportunity in work as well as out with Colleen and me just hanging around. Even more important to me was your willingness to help me at work to navigate the world of IT specifics and general knowledge. My life wouldn’t have been the same without you.
We all loved you Andrea. Thanks to you, I painted the walls in my new (to me) Condo.
Even though I was on in years and Arthritic you told me that with an extension pole I could even single handedly paint the stairwell.
I did it! Ceiling and all.
Your Mom told me that when you needed a new dishwasher installed at your home in Lee’s Summit. You went online and did it yourself!
Thought we’re my hero! And an inspiration to everyone in your life.
Rest In Peace, Dear One.
Aunt Ann
I am truly sorry for your loss and wanted to let you know I am here for you. I didn’t get to much time with her before she passed but loved chatting with her through text messages. She was an amazing person and she will be missed.