Andrea (Bassler) Dowd

Due to impending weather, LOCATION AND SERVICES for Andrea J. Dowd, have been CHANGED to the following:

Calling Hours: Sunday, February 6, 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the MILES-STERLING FUNERAL AND TRIBUTE CENTER, 100 WORCESTER ROAD, STERLING.

Funeral Service: Monday, February 7, 10:00 am at St. Christopher Parish, 950 West Boylston St, Worcester. Burial to follow at St. John's Cemetery, 260 Cambridge St, Worcester.

HOLDEN – Andrea J. (Bassler) Dowd, 61, beloved wife of William J. Dowd, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, January 21, 2022, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester. Born and raised in Wakefield, MA she was a daughter of the late Paul and Anne Patricia (McDonough) Bassler.

Andrea enjoyed a long career as a sales analyst for Pepsi-Cola of Central N.E. She began as a dedicated employee at Lam Lighting in MA, followed by Serck Baker in CA and Texas on her move out west. Upon her return to MA, she spent many years at HP Financial Services and Grainger Industrial Supplies.

Andrea will be lovingly missed and remembered by her husband of 24 years, Bill; her son, Casey P. Dowd of Holden; a brother, Paul Bassler, Jr of Derry, NH; her three sisters, Carolyn Hankard and her husband, William of Wakefield, MA, Deborah Trifone and her husband, David of Saugus, MA, and Nicole Tecce of Wakefield, MA. And the affection Aunt to Kyle Bassler, Candace Jenkins & her husband Carl, Delaney Gregsak & her husband John, Caitlin Hankard, Max Trifone, Michael Trifone, Haley Tecce, and Samantha Tecce. She also leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins, and brothers- and sisters-in-law. Lastly is her beautiful cat Earl that slept at her feet for many of the nights while Andrea fought through cancer. She had many cats that she was fond of over the years going back to her childhood.

Whether Andrea was at home, work, or traveling, she was meticulous in details as her husband, siblings, and co-workers could attest! This sometimes got her in the hot seat as she was strong-headed in her ways. Her influence on people made them smarter and stronger but still loved by her.

In her spare time, she could often be found crocheting and gardening, loving to get her hands dirty around her yard. In her younger days, she made many custom decorated cakes for family members and events that included the crazy cookouts and holiday parties where she also brought tasty dishes. When she was a teenager she was active in sports such as softball and hockey where she played the position of goalie! Her older brother Paul often practiced his slap shots with Andrea in the net! As she grew older and wiser, she met Bill and joined him in some hiking, camping, kayaking, and fishing that kept her active.

After meeting Bill, Andrea had the opportunity to move to Huntington Beach, CA and Bill happily agreed to join her on this crazy adventure, later moving to Houston TX. Her love of the beach was not something she could turn down, especially in the warm weather. She went to many beaches in Conn., Rhode Island, Cape Cod, North Shore, Maine, California, Texas and eventually spending a beautiful honeymoon with Bill on the island of St. Lucia. The breath-taking sunsets she often witnessed gave her a giant smile knowing there was always another soon to come. She enjoyed the uplifting helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon to the low climbs into Carlsbad Caverns to the mountains of New England to the cities of Boston, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, Montreal, and Washington DC in her travels.

But Andrea’s biggest heart is for her son, Casey! When she took him home from his long journey she was overjoyed! Always loving him, inspiring him to be himself, teaching him to become a mature, kind adult. As a mother, she was guiding Casey to become grown enough to understand her battle until she passed away with him and Bill by her side at the end.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 6, in the MILES-STERLING FUNERAL AND TRIBUTE CENTER, 100 WORCESTER ROAD, STERLING, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 7, at St. Christopher Parish, 950 West Boylston Street Worcester, MA. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross or Rose Monahan Hospice Home, Worcester, MA in memory of Andrea. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.

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