Isabelle J. McAndrews

Isabelle Jean McAndrews, 80, wife of J. Briggs McAndrews, passed away peacefully at her home in Niskayuna surrounded by family on Sunday August 11, 2024.

Isabelle was born on May 27, 1944 in Scranton, PA and was the daughter of the late Jean (Obidinski) Pizzo and Dominick Pizzo. She was predeceased by her son John Scott McAndrews; brother- in-law Richard Tanfield; brother- in-law Robert Salamone; brother Anthony Pizzo; and sister-in-law Jacqueline Pizzo. She is survived by her husband Briggs McAndrews; daughter Donna McAndrews; son-in-law Michael Pipa; grandchildren Robyn Pipa and Isabelle Pipa; sister Donna Tanfield; brother in law Brian (Pam) McAndrews; sister-in-law Helen (Robert) Salamone; brother-in-law Dennis (Elizabeth) McAndrews; sister-in-law Catherine McAndrews; and many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

Isabelle graduated from North Pocono High School in 1962 and Lackawana College in 1964. She married her husband and childhood sweetheart, Briggs McAndrews, in 1965 at Saint Catherine of Siena in Moscow, PA. During the first years of their marriage, Isabelle worked as a bank teller in Scranton, PA, Utica, and Hamilton, NY while raising children and putting her husband through university. After settling in Delmar, NY, Isabelle earned her real estate license and began a celebrated career selling homes. Chief among her joys in this work was finding the “just right” affordable home for young couples and families. She was recognized as a member of the Million $ Club for her expertise in real estate sales.

After raising her family and starting out in real estate in Delmar, she and Briggs moved to Niskayuna, where he worked for Niskayuna Central School District and she continued her real estate career. She also began a favorite part of her life as grandmother to Robyn and Izzy. Isabelle was an honorary board member of the Niskayuna Community Foundation and a parishioner at Saint Catherine of Siena in Moscow, Saint Thomas the Apostle in Delmar, NY, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Niskayuna, Saint Andrews in Sackets Harbor, and Saint Clares in Colonie.

Isabelle loved to travel and was an avid supporter of every football and field hockey team that members of her family were involved with including Bethlehem High School, Niskayuna High School, and Penn State University. Family was her greatest source of joy; she cherished being a loving mother and grandmother, as a well as a beloved friend and a good neighbor. She donated to every organization that touched her heart, which accounted for a stuffed mailbox full of letters of appeal each month.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her calling hours on Monday August 19, 2024 from 4 to 7 p.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, NY 12205. All are invited to attend her funeral Mass on Tuesday August 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Saint Clare, 1947 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12205.

In her memory, those who wish are encouraged in lieu of flowers to donate to the Niskayuna Community Foundation.