Catherine C. D’Andrea

Mickey’s wake will be held Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 3:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Services, 415 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047, with a Vigil service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation, with Mass following will be Friday at 9:30 a.m. and the Mass at 10:30a.m. at St. Pius V Church, 30 Miller Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. The Interment will be at Highland Memorial Park, 33100 North Hunt Club Road, Libertyville, IL 60048, immediately following Mass.

Mickey went to join her Lord and her beloved husband Al on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at home. Mickey was born to Albert and Catherine Ripley on July 9, 1932, in Chicago where she spent her youth. She was the youngest of six children. She was the last surviving child. When she was a mere teenager, after two years of Commercial High School, she began working at a bank. It was during this time she met the love of her life. She dated and then married Al D’Andrea on January 7, 1950, while Al was in the Navy and stationed at Great Lakes. It was a match meant to be.

From this marriage, they had seven children, Bob (the late Amy), Marie Meyers (Dan), Donald (Vicki), Bill (Marge), Rich Adamczykj-D’Andrea (Wendy), Sue Johannsen (Brian) and Dan. There were 37 grandchildren added and then 32 great grandchildren.

In 1956, they left the city and moved to Mundelein. The family continued to grow. Mickey lived in the same home for the past 70 years-after adding an addition to their too small home. She was involved with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League and entertaining her ever growing family. She loved to bake and cook and having family in for dinner. She took in her mother when she needed extended care and then her Mother-in-Law, when she needed care. Her heart was big.

She was in the food industry for most of her younger years-cooking and serving. She learned to make the best pizzas from one of her employers which she turned into an all-day affair when she prepared them for the entire family. It was a wondrous day when she prepared 15-20 pizzas! (Of course, with help from her children).

She then chose to work through a temp service at Abbott Labs in North Chicago where she was then hired. She continued to work in Professional Relations for the next 17 years until her early retirement (due to caring for her Mother-in-Law.)

She reveled in caring for her grandchildren and then her great grandchildren which kept her active. She found time and patience for the grandchildren which were not so quickly available when raising a large family.

Her faith in God brought her to St. Pius V Church in Lake Zurich where she was a very active member until her health forced her to scale back. She was a daughter of Mary and had a statue in the back yard and a Mary table, where fresh roses were placed weekly. The familiarity with the old Latin mass and devotions gave her and her husband great comfort. They preferred the mass they grew up with and enjoyed their church family. Many bonds and friendships were formed at the church.

If you have pictures that you would like to share, the funeral home has a web site you can send them to, and they will compile a slide show to be displayed during the wake. Send them to:  Upload pictures, click here.