Andrea Rose (Tabar) Hurtienne passed away on her birthday, August 2nd, at the age of 74. She was born in 1952 in Racine, Wisconsin, to Andrew and Lois (Yerden) Tabar.

The consummate adventurer, Andrea was always ready for what life threw at her. Marrying Daniel Hurtienne on May 19, 1973, the two started their marriage by traveling around the Midwest visiting friends and family while creating a family of their own. She also began her 13 year long career as a cosmetologist. Her first major journey was when she moved from her hometown to Carson, California, with her family. There, with her husband, Dan, and her three daughters, Heidi, Naomi, and Katie, she went on many escapades by swimming, biking, and camping all throughout the west coast and southwest parts of the United States. She continued to explore the country when the family moved next to Shreveport, Louisiana, where she began her journey as a college student. She would later go on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas in 1996. It was in Kansas where Andrea fell in love with her career as a nurse, where she continuously poured her heart and soul into helping those who needed it. Andrea continued her adventure when she and her family moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. There she continued her education and earned a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2008. Her and Dan continued exploring the country by further moving to Helena, Arkansas; Pella and Oskaloosa, Iowa, back to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, then onto Gallatin, Tennessee; Thibodaux, Louisiana; Montgomery, Alabama, and finally back to Petal and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she lived out the rest of her years.

Andrea was the kind of person who never met a stranger, be it a person or an animal. Her variety of pets over the years were her constant companions. She always had a story and a kind word for anyone she came across, whether it was a dear friend, or the clerk at the grocery store. She loved traveling the world on cruise ships with her husband. An avid crafter, Andrea spent her time working on many projects, be it sewing, crochet, stained glass, painting, and more. IYKYK ;) She was also an excellent cook and she loved sharing what she prepared with her loved ones. Her beef stroganoff and German potato salad were always a hit. She loved spending time with her family and friends and was known for giving especially good hugs.Her unwavering kindness and beautiful spirit would light up any room she was in and she was excellent at helping people have a good day. She was quick with a middle finger, but quicker with a hug. She loved the color red, roses, Hallmark movies, trashy romance novels, and diet cola. She fiercely loved her family. She will be forever missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Lois (Yerden) Tabar, and her husband, Daniel Gene Hurtienne. She is survived by her two sisters, Linda Schultz (William), and Roberta Brommer, her three daughters, Heidi Dew (Kevin), Naomi Magola (Chris), and Katherine Joyner (Mike), and three grandchildren, Jolie Magola, Anna Boudreaux, and William Boudreaux.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will take place at a later date due to unforeseen circumstances.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Least of These Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 417, Ellisville, MS, 39437, in honor of Andrea’s love for animals.