Obituary of Andrea L. Forrest
Andrea (Reish) Forrest (3/13/77-1/18/22) of Conshohocken passed away peacefully at Pottstown Hospital on Tuesday, January 18. She was 44.
Andrea graduated from Boyertown Area Senior High in 1995. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from the University of Maryland in 2000, where she was a member of both the cheerleading and dance teams. Andrea also received her Master’s of Fine Arts from Kutztown University.
Andrea moved to Chicago, Illinois after college and taught elementary art at the Lincoln School in Palatine, Illinois for 3 years. Upon her return to Pennsylvania, Andrea taught art education in the Allentown School District for 15 years, at both Muhlenberg Elementary and Dieruff High School. Andrea directed a successful Performing Arts program at Muhlenberg, and was the director and choreographer for the award winning Dieruff Theatre Company. Andrea ended her teaching career in Pottsgrove School District, teaching art at both Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School and Pottsgrove Middle School. Andrea also directed the Pottsgrove High School Theatre Company for two years.
Andrea was well known for infectious personality and sharp sense of humor. Her friends in Illinois referred to her as TFA (Too Far Andrea); those that know her well understand why. Andrea had a passion for teaching art, musical theater, and music. Andrea dedicated her life to her students and their success, especially those who needed extra guidance and support. She firmly believed that children needed to be pushed and challenged in order to reach their full potential. She was loved by her students, colleagues, friends, and family. Andrea loved snowboarding, wakeboarding, live music, dancing, art, musical theater, craft beer, animals, and spending time with those that she cherished most.
She is survived by her husband Bill, their son Silas, and her three dogs Oakland, Dweezil and Butters. Andrea is also survived by her parents Ralph and Michelle Reish, of Boyertown, her brothers Mike and Eric, and her sister Jami (Zmurko).
A celebration of life for Andrea will be held in the future; a date has yet to be determined.
The family has established a scholarship in honor of Andrea, to a senior student who excels in visual and/or performing arts at Pottsgrove School District and wishes to continue their education in either of these areas. Donations to support this scholarship may be sent to PGSD c/o Mr. Gary DeRenzo, 1301 Kaufman Road, Pottstown, PA 19464. The scholarship will be awarded yearly at the Senior High awards program in June.
Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, Pa 19428 www.msrfh.com