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Celebrating Life
In May 2004, Fortunat Andy Andrews celebrated an incredible milestone—his 100th birthday. An elaborate surprise party at the Noblesville, Ind., clinic marked the occasion.
“It was a big surprise,” his wife Clara recalls. “Dr. Agnes Schrader and nurse Debra Goggin planned a really inspiring day. We were able to share it with several friends from the community.” Along with a birthday cake, balloons and colorful decorations, the party featured Andy in a display of photographs taken throughout his life.
And what a life it has been.
Formerly an engineer, Andy has been married to Clara for 69 years. They both share a love of travel and have visited 39 countries together, counting Scandinavia, Greece and Italy among their favorite places.
Besides travel, another shared interest has been dancing, which they’ve done all over the world.
“He was a fisherman and I was a dancer, but I quickly brought him over to my side,” Clara jokes. “We both took lessons from the Fred Astaire studio and got to be pretty good. We really love Latin dancing and Big Band-era dancing like on Lawrence Welk. It turns out it was the best exercise we could ever have done.”
Dancing isn’t the only exercise in which the sports-minded couple have actively participated. “We’ve done ice dancing, golf and tennis,” Clara says. “We’re also great music lovers and we love to read. And you should see our flower garden.”
Although in good health for most of his long life, Andy’s kidneys started failing about five years ago and dialysis became necessary. Clara says they both have high praise for the caregivers at the Noblesville clinic. “They take good care of him,” she says. “The doctor, the drivers, the nurses, the social workers, all of them are very caring and efficient.” Andy’s spiritual side, she notes, also helps him cope with his illness. “And we’re a team. We work together.”
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