Andrea Mariano Lodato of Columbia, Tennessee

May 29, 1964 - April 24, 2021

Andrea was one of those people that lit up a room, with either her smile or fireworks! Feisty describes her well, and when she put her mind to something, she went after it. Always undaunted, at the age of 4 she decided she wanted to go to the Yonkers Public Library with her older sister. Not accepting that she was too little, she quietly snuck past the dog, got her coat, opened a heavy oak front door and took off for the library. She got surprisingly far before she was ultimately found at the local firehouse. She was feisty!

After a fierce 14 month fight with kidney cancer, Andrea Lynn Mariano Lodato, 56, passed away peacefully on April 24 at home in Columbia, TN. She was born on May 29, 1964 in Yonkers, NY to William E. and Doris O. Mariano. Andrea graduated from Byram Hills High School in 1982, after which she began her long and successful career as an insurance agent. Andrea loved people and was committed to helping them. She also worked at an assisted living facility just prior to her diagnosis and deeply enjoyed the residents and staff.

Andrea married her soulmate Daniel Lodato on May 17, 1992. They had a strong and enduring love for one another and would have celebrated 29 years of marriage this month. Daniel and Andrea shared a great many interests, including cats, cooking and eating good Italian food, movies, enjoying a drive through the countryside and spending time with family and friends. Their 5 cats were precious to Andrea and provided her with much comfort these past 14 months.

Andrea is predeceased by her parents William E and Doris O Mariano, parents-in-law John and Valerie Lodato, grandparents, cousin Madison Cornwell and brother-in-law David Bell. She is survived by her loving husband Danny, sisters Joanne (David) Russell, Beth Bell, Geri Mariano, Christina (Gregg) Corbo, nephews and nieces Jeremy Russell, Ashley (Brian) Masterson, Megan and Michael Bell, Amanda, Justin, Brian and Aiden Corbo, her grandniece McKenna Masterson, maternal aunts Laura Penney and Frances Gustafson, paternal uncle Horace (Gerri) Mariano, sister-in-law Debbie Cassetta, her stepmother Cherie Gaines Mariano, numerous cousins and countless friends.

Everyone who knew Andrea will miss her, but she lives on in our hearts. As AA Milne said, in Winnie the Pooh, "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever."

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Vineyard Church Franklin,  308 Jordan Rd, Franklin TN 37067 on Friday, May 7 at 4 pm Central time. The service will also be live streamed at https://vimeo.com/545611542 .