Jane Leyes Andrews

Jane Leyes Andrews, born May 25, 1938, passed away in her home June 16, 2021. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee to Alban and Edna May (Finley) Leyes, and grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland with younger siblings John, Susan, and Christopher. Jane graduated from Trinity University in Washington, D.C. with a bachelor’s degree in French and then enjoyed working for NATO in Paris for 3 years where she learned to love food and travel. She then obtained a master’s degree in French at Berkeley, where she met and married Ira Robert (Bob) Andrews. Twins Susan and Linda were born in California. Their third daughter, Kristen, was born in Ohio where Bob taught Psychology and Jane taught French at Bowling Green State University. The appeal of the west coast led to a move to Greater Vancouver, BC in 1970 where Bob worked at Simon Fraser University and Jane taught English as a Second Language, macrame and weaving. They moved to Bellevue, Washington when Bob retired in 1985.

Jane’s interests were wide ranging and enduring. She was involved in many groups, including the American Association of University Women, the Seattle Weavers Guild, and book, wine, bridge and walking groups. She also volunteered in community schools. She and Bob made over 25 trips to Europe, Mexico, and around the States including walking tours and river canal trips. Her joie de vivre and skills in French, Spanish, and Italian made her a first-rate travel companion. The quality and quantity of her artistic output was impressive. Her fine sense of design, color and texture is evident in the handwoven garments and quilts she created over the course of 50 years. Her daughters and grandchildren carry on her artistic sensibilities.

Visit Jane Andrews’ obituary on the Seattle Times.