Andrea J. Incropera, 81, resident of Granger, IN, passed away on Friday evening, May 21, 2021 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was born on February 10, 1940 in Springfield, VT to Robert and Rose (Comerford) Eastman, both of whom preceded her in death.

On September 2, 1961, Andrea married Frank P. Incropera, who survives. In addition to her loving husband of nearly 60 years, Andrea is survived by her daughters, Terri (Charles) Incropera Chapman of Escondido, CA; Donna (Klaus Ruter) Incropera Dant of Nashville, TN; and Shaunna (Patrick) Incropera-Tafelski of Oxford, OH; five grandchildren, John (Sarah) Wallace Dant IV of Greenville, SC; Michael (Katie) Anthony Dant of Brentwood, TN; Mallory (Jake) Dant Parsons of Spring Hill, TN; Brandon Patrick Tafelski of Toledo, OH; and Kyle James Tafelski of Toledo, OH; great-grandchildren, Edison Dant and Lily Dant; and sister, Brenda Major of Plaistow, NH. In addition to her parents, Andrea was preceded in death by her sister, Carla Fletcher.

The first words that come to mind when one thinks of Andrea are nurturing, caring and selflessness. From the time she married and moved west with the love of her life, she nurtured and cared for Frank. From the time her first daughter was born to the time her third daughter embarked for college, she was there for her children. She was always there to greet them when they returned home from school, to support their many activities, and to nurture and provide unwavering, unconditional love. And, she did not lose a beat in transitioning this love and care to her grandchildren.

This theme of nurturing continued when she served as liaison between industrial recruiters and cooperative education students in Purdue’s Mechanical Engineering Technology Department.  She was always there to advise in a caring way and to administer tough love, if necessary. And in the last 20 years, her dedication to the mission of The Christ Child Society and the children it serves was steadfast. As she would say in describing her work, “it is always about the children.” 

Two other words that describe Andrea are craftsmanship and excellence.  She was a self-taught seamstress who designed and made her own clothes as a young woman; who made clothes for her children that made them feel special; who made gowns for attendants in her daughters’ weddings; who made drapes and decorative items for the homes in which the family lived; and later in life, became a world-class quilter. Andrea could not accept mediocrity. Whatever she did had to border on perfection. If it did not meet her standards, she took it apart and tried again, on occasion more than once.  

Mass of Christian Burial for Andrea will be celebrated at 9:30am on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Graveside services and burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame. Palmer Funeral Home—Hickey Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

A celebration of Andrea’s life will take place mid-summer at a time and place to be determined, and invitations will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Andrea J. Incropera may be made to The Christ Child Society, 2366 Miracle Lane, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Andrea-Incropera