Obituary of Andrea Crowe

Andrea Marie Crowe passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 after a long, courageous battle with a still underdetermined disease. Andrea was born on July 5, 1986 to Anne (Baxter) and the late Ensley Crowe of Burntcoat, Nova Scotia. She is survived by her siblings Elizabeth Molly Crowe (Hossam Abdellah) and Andrew Crowe as well as her adoptive grandparents, Edward and Jesse (Reid) Hennigar and her Nana, Una Skelhorne. Andrea also leaves behind an extended family and friends too numerous to mention. Growing up on her parent's farm, Broad Cove Holsteins, Andrea was on the path to a lifelong passion for developing quality Holsteins and showing. She was the sole proprietor of Hi-Calibre Holsteins, her own Holstein pre-fix. In recognition of her achievements in the Holstein industry, Andrea was awarded the first Howard Roper Memorial Award in 2003. Other awards specific to her work included several All-Atlantic , All-Ontario and All- Canadian awards. Andrea served two terms as President of the Central Nova Holstein Club and was a member of the 2011 National Holstein Convention Planning Committee. Throughout her life, Andrea was active in the 4-H program. In recognition for her leadership, she received the 2012 East Hants Volunteer of the Year Award after being nominated by the Cobequid 4-H Club. For many years, Andrea battled against a variety of ailments related to the disease that finally took her life. The hospital personnel at IWK Health Center and the Halifax Infirmary became a second family. In order to give back, Andrea, when healthy, was dedicated to public speaking and volunteer work for the IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax. She was selected to be the first Miracle Child representing the IWK Children's Hospital for the Children's Miracle Network and later received the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award for her efforts. She also was invited to be a guest speaker at the World Pain Management Summit held in Montreal several years back. Andrea served on several committees in the medical community to develop standards for arthritis care. Several doctors went above and beyond to try and solve the mystery of her ailments. The last two years, her tremendous care was provided by Dr. Volodko Bakowsky, Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull and the amazing staff at the Halifax Infirmary. Her mentor/adoptive-uncle, Dr. Patrick McGrath, was with her until the very end. Without this tremendous team, Andrea's struggle would have been unbearable. Hope truly is sometimes the best medicine. Please join her family to celebrate her amazing life at her true home, our farm, on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 11AM. with Rev. Natalie Buchanan-Rutherford officiating and burial in the Burntcoat Cemetery, Burntcoat. The family will also be accepting visitors on Friday evening from 7-9 PM in the J. Wilson Allen Funeral Home Hwy 354, Kennetcook. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the QE II Foundation, the IWK Health Center Foundation, or a charity of your choice, in honor of Andrea. Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of the J. Wilson Allen Funeral Home, Hwy 354, Kennetcook, ph 1-902-362-2440 or please visit our web site at www.allenfh.ca to sign the guest book or send private condolences