Andrea Schabkar, BASc, MBA, passed away at home surrounded by her beloved husband Robert (her Schatzi), her cherished children, Kayla, Corey (Sandra), and Vanessa (Erika) on Monday, May 10, 2021. Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2013. In her nearly 8-year journey with cancer, Andrea chose life; she faced this disease with grace, strength, and an indomitable spirit and will to live and cherish life.

Andrea was born on July 13, 1955 in Bochingen Kreis Rottweil, Germany to Vinzenz and Gudrun Mueller. The family immigrated to Canada in 1956 when Andrea was one. Andrea attended Holy Angels Catholic School and Royal York Collegiate where she excelled in mathematics and graduated with Honours (of course). After a year of work, Andrea entered Engineering Science at Queen’s University then transferred to the University of Toronto after a year because she met Robert, the love of her life, at the Ump Pa Pa Pub. Both Andrea and Robert absolutely loved dancing and it became a staple representation in their life to come. They danced their way to marriage in 1977. June 4, 2021 marks their 44th wedding anniversary. Robert will forever miss his loving Schatzi Andrea.

Andrea graduated U of T in 1979 with a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree with, of course … you guessed it: Honours. She was also the only woman in her graduating class. Upon graduating, Andrea worked at Atomic Energy of Canada. Following her time there, Andrea entered the MBA program at the Schulich School of Business, York University, all while being a mother of two and pregnant with her third. After graduating in 1991, she was hired by TD Bank in Commercial Banking. Her 24-year career with TD took her to Vice President, Commercial Credit Risk Management until she retired in 2015. Considered more than a colleague by many at TD, Andrea was a highly respected advisor, mentor, and friend.

Supermom is an understatement for what Andrea was to her children Kayla, Corey, and Vanessa. With Robert’s support, she drove all over for sporting events, went back-to-school shopping, painted faces, made homemade Halloween costumes, helped with homework, and made homecooked meals. Mom was always a safe place to go when you needed it. Never more than a phone call or text away, Andrea was always willing to provide advice and guidance without judgement; she bailed her kids out of sticky situations that she later used as teachable moments. “Bank of Mom” had policies and offered endless financial advice. She was an enthusiastic watcher of Toronto Raptors games and she never shied away from an opportunity to correct grammar “it’s well, not good.” Andrea found tremendous joy as each of her children reached different milestones in their lives; she was extremely proud of them and she reminded them of this regularly. Mom truly was exceptional. We couldn’t have had a more loving, caring, or supportive Mom. Andrea will be greatly missed by Kayla, Corey (Sandra) and Vanessa (Erika).

Andrea will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her siblings: Uly Mueller (Martha), Roger Mueller (Mary), and Nicolette Mueller. She will also be remembered and missed by her family members in Kitchener, Germany, Austria as well as her many nieces and nephews. Andrea was a loving, attentive, and caring big sister, cousin and aunt. She always looked forward to family time, whether it was weekly Sunday euchre (where her competitive nature was regularly exposed), being the head chef for Christmas Eve dinner, cottage fam jam weekends or weddings. Andrea always made sure that we remembered everyone’s birthday.

Special thanks to Dr. Philippe Bedard and the flurry of nurses at Princess Margaret Hospital, as well as the entire Palliative Care team.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make donations may do so to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (Breast Centre Fund) or a charity of choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year when safety protocols allow. Please email Vanessa Schabkar at schabkar2@hotmail.com with your contact information so that we can reach you with details once they are available.