I got to know Andrea at Lake McDonald where we both spent our summers as kids.  I remember going to the Rutherford's place on rain days (we were only allowed inside on rain days) and playing cards and board games.  I think they had the first Monopoly game I ever played on.  And a great fungus collection on their fireplace that they had picked off the trees along the road. They were the kind you could write your name on or draw cartoons. 
Andrea and I had one thing in common – we were sort of the in-between kids.  My sister and Carol had a gang of friends her age and then there were the teen agers that didn't pay any attention to us.  So Andrea and I hung out sometimes and brought up friends from the city. When we became teenagers I think Andrea used to have a friend up named Nicole and I would have my friend Bill and needless to say there were a few trips back and forth between the cottages.  Fun times.   
We got together again in London, Ontario, where we both attended University of Western Ontario.  She was a couple years ahead of me and advised me on who the good profs were in the Geography department.  Then she moved west.  I remember she would write to me from exotic places where she was living, like Yellowknife in the NWT and another place called Horsefly (why would anyone name a town Horsefly or someone from Lake McDonald choose to live there!) In one letter she excitedly announced that she was going to have a baby! And that, even though her main means of transportation was on the back of a motorcycle, it shouldn't be a problem.
I think my best memory of Andrea was a few years ago when I came to visit her in Chilliwack.  When I arrived she had the afternoon all mapped out.  We were going to have something to eat at her place and she had made sandwiches, she was then going to give me a guided tour of the town and, finally we were going to go out for dessert. “Where would you suggest?” “The airport,” she said. “They have the best pie there!” So that's where we went. To the airport. For pie. When we returned to her place she said she wanted me to have something and went to the closet and pulled out a painting that her Mom had painted. “For you,” she said.  I was blown away.  It now hangs at our family cottage at Lake McDonald where the Rutherfords had been such great neighbours all those years ago.  And before I left, she had one more gift to take home – a handful of potatoes.  For my supper.  That was very special.
The thing that will always stand out in my memory about Andrea is her indomitable spirit.  To me she always seemed happy and cheerful.  Even when she was having a tough time getting about or getting the words out, there was always that enthusiastic smile and the giggle. Signs of a warm heart.

My sister (Kathryn Powell) was best friends with Andrea when we lived in Ottawa and I always considered Andrea  my friend too.   She was such a kind, gentle, and genuine person, and I feel honoured to have known her.  I have many happy memories of her.  My deepest condolences go to her family.  Sincerely, Christine Moore (Hughson)

Dear Lee, Susan and family,
I feel shocked and sad today to read in the Hope Standard that Andrea has passed away. She was a strong and lovely person and a true friend. I loved and admired her and I know she loved me too. I only managed to visit her a couple of times when she was living at Heritage Village. Now I live in Castlegar, so could not have attended the Celebration of Life. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Sincerely, Sydney Mason

To Susan and the boys, Carol and Lee.
Hello to all of you.  My name is Holly Morrison and I was a long time cottage neighbour of the Rutherford family on Lake MacDonald in the back woods of Quebec.. Sort of half way between Ottawa and Montreal.
I was friends with Carol and we spent our summers together on the lake, swimming, boating, exploring and on rainy days, playing cards.  Sometimes Andrea would join in and it always made for a much more lively game.  We would be playing Spite and Malice, that required some speed and skill which Carol always beat the pants off me... unless..... Andrea was playing.  She managed to confuse things just enough to get Carol out of sync. so that I had at least had a chance.  We laughed and laughed.  
Andrea was always such a good sport about her differences.  She would show us how her toes would point to the sky, and we would try to do it too... of course feeling somewhat inadequate because we couldn't come close.
I think Ian had a special bond with Andrea, cause his male friends at the cottage seemed to move on, as she stayed on  and she was closest to his age.  
We have been kept informed how the Rutherford girls were doing through him and from a couple of surprise visits from Susan over the last few years.
Mostly I will remember Andrea for her laugh, and when she'd run, in her own way down the dock and then hold her nose before she jumped off the last board into the lake.
 
Swim freely my friend.
 
Love to you and the Rutz family.

I smile when I think of Andrea and all the great times we had growing up in Ottawa.  We have kept in touch over the years, even though she was in B.C. and I was in London, Ontario.  Her special spirit and loving nature will leave a lasting impression on all that knew her.  I will forever treasure my memories of Andrea.  I am honoured to consider her my friend.     

Love, Kathy (Hughson)

Sending our prayers to her family. Andrea was a special person who only wanted to bring goodness to this world. A rare soul. Loretta and John

I only got to know her briefly but i could see her light shining through her pain. You will be missed, Andrea

OBITUARY

Andrea Lee Rutherford

April 7, 1952 – February 18, 2012

Henderson's Funeral Homes & Crematorium

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