Andrea I. Connors

Andrea Irene Connors (Sanok) May 28, 1951 - July 3, 2024 was born May 28, 1951 to Walter and Irene Sanok and was a twin sister to Michael Sanok. Andrea grew up in Lackawannas first ward and attended St. Hyacinth Elementary School and Our Lady of Victory High School. Her family had deep Polish roots. After high school graduation, Andrea left Western New York for New York City and attended the New York School of Interior Design where she graduated and worked. One of her projects included interior design work for the World Trade Center building. Andrea was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers and a docent at the Albright Knox Art Gallery for over 25 years, where she enjoyed educating school children on the museums collection and various forms of art. During her college years, Andrea met her husband, Mike Connors, an Irishman. To her Polish grandmothers dismay, they fell in love. In July of 1972, the Polish girl from Lackawanna and the Irishman from North Buffalo were married. They were blessed with a daughter, Hilary. Andrea and Hilary were look-alikes and the closest of friends. Even though miles separated them over the years, the two spoke every day. Nothing brought Andrea more joy than her family. She worried about them, rooted for them, and protected them. She was very grateful to know that her daughter was blessed with a wonderful husband (Michael) and three wonderful sons. Andrea enjoyed spending time with her three kings, as she called her grandsons, Walter, Connor, and Oscar. She often came up with creative play themes for them to enjoy. She taught them the game of Rummy, how to sew, and which episodes of I Love Lucy were the best to watch. Andreas artistic eye found use in everything around her. Her ability to create and her background in design were found in all things she touched. Through her sewing and needlepoint, she often made creations that were gifted to others. Andrea had a love for gardening and was blessed with a green thumb. She always knew the tricks for bigger blooms and the best specimens for planting. Never one to sit still, Andrea was always doing. She appreciated a clean house and a lively polka. She valued loyalty, honesty, and authenticity. She was often referred to as a pistol and always shared her opinion directly. At parties, she could be found with a bourbon Manhattan in hand. Her delicious Polish cheesecake was well loved and her recipe will never be known. She was fiercely independent and private. Andrea fought cancer for several years without many knowing of her diagnosis. Her strength and courage throughout her treatment was evident. Andrea is survived by her husband of 53 years, Michael; her daughter, Hilary, and son-in-law, Michael Mattingly; her grandchildren, Walter, Connor, and Oscar; and her twin brother, Michael and his wife, Ellen Sanok. She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Sanok, and mother, Irene (Pietrusk) Sanok. Relatives and friends may visit Lombardo Funeral Home (Southtowns Chapel), 3060 Abbott Road, near Lake Ave., on Sunday (July 21st) from 11-3 p.m.. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Basilica, 767 Ridge Road, Lackawanna on Monday (July 22nd) at 10:30 a.m. Please assemble at church. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Andreas honor may be made to Hospice Care of Buffalo, which gave Andrea comfort and peace during her final hours. Funeral Service Your browser does not support this video format. You should be able to view it in Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer. Services Memorial Gathering Sunday July 21, 2024 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Lombardo Funeral Home (Abbott Rd, Lake Ave.), Orchard Park) Mass of Christian Burial Monday July 22, 2024 10:30 AM Our Lady Victory Basilica 767 Ridge Road Lackawanna, NY 14218