Jennie Andrea

JENNIE (PAPANDRIA) ANDREA

Jenni Andrea was born on June 24th, 1925 in South Bend, Indiana in a home adjacent to the Sunny Italy Cafe. Jennie's first job was a waitress at the restaurant owned by her sister Josie, and her brother-in-law Jim.

It was said that half the boys came from Notre Dame for the food, and the other half to see Jennie with her stunning beauty. When she was 17, she left South Bend for New York City to study voice with the financial support of Jim and Josie with  famed teacher Mr. Alvey. Jennie was born with a magical voice, and she could  make a glass break with her incredible range and volume. Jennie changed her name legally from Papandria to Andrea and began to have much success in the opera and Broadway scene in Manhattan. She performed with the chorus in the  NYC Metropolitan Opera frequently, as well as being the understudy for some of the world's most famous Prima Donna's. One of her big moments was appearing in the New York Premier of the famed composer Albin Berg's masterpiece opera Wozzeck. She also performed on Broadway in  many choruses as well. As as family, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade was a must as we watched Jennie perform in one of the acts for several years. After her career wound down, she continued to be active in the arts, the NY  Federations of Musicians, and several other boards in NYC for the arts and music. She spent the last years of her life in New York working as an usher on Broadway in spite of her hearing problem as the result of a removed brain tumor, most recently the Lion King.

Jennie spent almost her entire life living in Greenwich Village, with the exception of a few years living in Puerto Rico, and decided it was time to move back to South Bend to be with family. Living in New York most of her entire life, Jennie never owned a car or ever learned to drive. She relished the last years of her life in South Bend with family friends and her  many pets.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Sam, Rock, Pete, Tony, and George, and her sisters Ann and Josie. She is survived by several nieces, great- nieces, nephews and great-nephews who she always enjoyed being with.

A Catholic funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday July 24, 2021 at the Kaniewski Funeral Home Chapel, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, where friends may visit with the family for one hour prior to the service from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery, South Bend. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Grade School, 216 N. Hill St., South Bend, IN 46617 in Jennie's honor. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jennie Andrea, please visit our floral store.