Mary Ellen Andoe

Mary Ellen Andoe, 85, of Palermo, CA, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2022. Mary Ellen was born on July
5, 1936, to William and Mary Tompkins in Oroville, California. Mary Ellen grew up in and was a lifelong resident
of Palermo, California. Growing up she loved playing sports and spending time with her grandparents and
beloved Aunt Sadie.
After graduating from Oroville High School in 1954, she attended CSU, Chico and worked for Stokely-Van
Camp. Mary Ellen worked for the Palermo Union Elementary School District for 30 years, and following her
retirement she continued to serve the school district as a member of the Board of Trustees.
She was an avid bowler and met Bob Andoe at the Central Lanes Bowling Alley in Oroville. In 1960, they
married and started their life together. She and Bob celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary last July. She
was a devoted mother to their three daughters: Susan, Kathy and Janet; and she loved being a grandma to
Ryan, Brittany, Jessica, Shelby, Stefan, Max, Natalie, and William. She enjoyed watching their sporting events
and always made sure that there were special snacks at Grandma’s house. She was also blessed with five
great grandchildren: Kennedy, Tennessee, Logan, Dominic and Presley.
After her retirement from the school district, she and Bob enjoyed traveling with friends and family. They
especially enjoyed the Oregon Coast and traveled there as much as possible. She loved antiques and
collecting pottery and she started an antique business, California Collections, with her sister-in-law, Dorelle
Andoe. She also had a booth at Lock, Stock and Barrel and enjoyed spending time with all of the friends that
she made working in the antiques and collectibles business. Her daughters and grandchildren have many of
her “treasures” in their homes. She loved it when they would ask, “May I have that?”, and the answer was
always yes.
She loved the community of Palermo and was actively involved in community activities throughout her life.
She attended Palermo School from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Mary Ellen was a member of the Palermo
Grange and the Palermo Community Council in addition to her many years of service on the school board. She
was recognized for her dedication to the town when she was selected to serve as the Grand Marshall of one
the Palermo Field Day Parades.
Mary Ellen is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Susan & Russell Watts, Kathleen & Scott Nolind and
Janet Andoe & Pony Krueger; and her grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) Ryan & Sydney Coleman
(Tennessee and Presley), Brittany & Taylor Trevino (Kennedy and Logan), Jessica & Ronnie Coon (Dominic),
Shelby Watts, Stefan Krueger, Max Krueger, Natalie Nolind, and William Nolind; her brothers- and sisters-in-
law Allene Andoe, Gordon & Jane Andoe, Betty & Clifford Scheer, Ron Costa as well as numerous nieces and
nephews.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob Andoe, her parents William and Mary
Tompkins and her aunt and uncle, Sadie and Frank Womack.
A time of visitation will be held at Scheer Memorial Chapel on Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 4:30PM to 6:30
PM.
The immediate family will hold private interment services on Friday, June 17, 2022 at the Memorial Park
Cemetery in Oroville, CA.

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