Andrée Marie Harmer
Andrée Marie Harmer died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, February 21. She was born in San Francisco to John Cunningham and Suzanne Gamache Cunningham, a French war bride.
She excelled in scholastics at St. Agnes and had a wonderful childhood in the City with her three siblings. At the start of the Second World War she became involved with the booking of transport for the troops and, in later life, enjoyed her role as a travel agent extraordinaire at Elmes Travel, working with her old friend from San Francisco, Marge Elmes. At the end of the War, she met her future husband, Don Harmer, a Santa Barbara boy, who was managing the Santa Barbara Airport, when she flew down to visit some friends. That was it!
Don and Andrée went on to have four children and enjoyed a beautiful life in Santa Barbara. They built a Cliff May redwood house in Mission Canyon that they soon outgrew with their growing family. They moved to Montecito where they lived in the same house for over fifty years. She and Don travelled extensively, everything from camping in Baja California…reluctant as she was but, as ever, a good sport…to bareboat chartering in the Virgin Islands, to just about every exotic country, and anywhere an airplane or ship would take them.
Andrée had a flair for cooking and entertaining, and made sure she and her family were always fed well, dressed well, and her home stylish and comfortable. She was a fabulous seamstress and made many a party dress for herself and her daughters, making a point to always have them perfectly turned out.
She and Don had a full and happy life and many dear friends. Miramar Beach was a very special place for the family over the years, the epicenter of fun and family life. Don died in 1994. Some years later, Andrée married Leo Robidoux. They enjoyed many travels and good times together. She is preceded in death by her husband Don, and daughter, Danielle Marie. She is survived by her children, Michele Plumridge (Adam), Peter (Christen), Kipp (Susie Gosnell), her grandson Alexander Harmer, sister, Yvonne Meyer, and Leo Robidoux.
The family wishes to thank our dearest Sey Kinsell for his lifetime of support, Leo Robidoux for his unfailing love and care, and the Santa Barbara Visiting Nurses. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Visiting Nurses.