Laura Pilar Andrade

Laura Pilar Andrade of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, age 50, passed away on January 25th, 2022. 

She is survived by her son, Gabriel Andrade, her daughter, Nuria Ahmad, her sister, Maria Andrade, and her stepfather, Michael Waldbillig (in addition to several beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.) 

Laura was born on a beautiful March day in Galesburg, IL. Growing up, she showed a natural gift for music, inherited from her grandmother, Alice Zeck. She loved playing the piano, singing, dancing, concerts- anything and everything to do with music. It brought her great joy. 

Laura was a voracious reader and linguist that loved classic English literature, learning Latin, and was a fluent Spanish speaker as her father, Raul Andrade, was from Madrid, Spain. She inherited her gift of linguistics from her beloved mother, Annabelle Waldbillig, as she had a long career as a Spanish professor and was so gifted with the written word. 

Laura had a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and would have loved to be an author as she found writing cathartic and peaceful. She settled for devouring any book she could get her hands on. She used to say that her ultimate goal was to be an eternal student. She simply loved knowledge and learning. 

Laura loved traveling, particularly to England, as the majestic cathedrals, churches, and history fed her soul. Not to mention the perfectly still ambiance of grey skies and rainy days, her favorite. 

Laura had a vivid imagination and loved all things mythical, medieval, and fantasy. She dressed up for renaissance fairs to bring her love of history alive, forced her sister to watch endless hours of the Lord of the Rings, and loved reading about medieval England; her absolute favorite topic. 

Laura had a tender, empathetic heart and a genuinely kind soul. She always had a compassionate ear to lend; listening intently and providing sound advice or just a sounding board. Her friends often stated that they could talk to Laura about anything and everything without fear of judgement, a rare quality. 

The most joy in her world came from her two children; the lights and loves of her life. She passed down her love of music and academia to them, which is apparent in the wonderfully intelligent and creative adults they are. 

Words cannot express what the loss of Laura means to us. We take comfort in knowing that she is in a happier place with her beloved grandmother Alice, her mother Annabelle, and her uncle Gerry. 

Thank you, Laura, for gifting us with your music, laughter, and brilliance. 

She will be greatly missed. 

Guests are welcome for visitation from 2-4 pm, Sunday, January 30, 2022 at Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, January 31, 2022 at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 1821 Munroe Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221.  She will be laid to rest privately at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa.

Arrangements entrusted to Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home and Crematory, 330-928-2147.