Queta McAndrews' Obituary
Queta McAndrews
12.18.1950 to 4.14.2024
Queta McAndrews, formally known as Enriqueta O’Dell Wilkins was born in Berkeley, California on December 18, 1950 to Rafael and Mary Wilkins. She was one of nine children and was raised amongst cousins and family members who immigrated from Texas, Honduras, Jamaica and Panama. In spite of the political and societal obstacles of the time, the family emulated cultural diversity. Their narrative is an American story of grit and strength; a bicultural family seeking refuge in California, overcoming racial, financial and educational inequities.
Queta’s life is a story of triumph and resiliency. She showed us daily how to use humor, strength and endurance to cope with life’s challenges. She overcame every obstacle laid before her and surpassed the limitations of her randomly occurring genetic disorder, Deletion of the 13th Chromosome, a disorder that wasn’t formally named or recognized until 1962. She graduated from Sunset High School in Hayward, attended courses at Laney College, married and gave birth to a healthy child. Her life was full.
She loved whole heartedly and unconditionally. She taught us all to be generous with love. She spoke to the hearts of those she met in passing as well as her closest family members. She had a 6th sense. She read people well and regularly spoke words of praise to her family members as well as those she met in passing. She had the power to bless people with her words. She was smart and clever. She could read a room and understood interpersonal dynamics. Her sharp wit caught people off guard and made people erupt with laughter.
What’s your fondest memory of Enriqueta?
What’s a lesson you learned from Enriqueta?
Share a story where Enriqueta's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Enriqueta you’ll never forget.
How did Enriqueta make you smile?