Andrea Elizabeth Wathen Testa, 55, of Pinewild, passed away at the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital on Friday, March 16th.
Andrea was born in Pinehurst, NC into a Harness racing family. She was the daughter of Wendell (Red) A. Wathen, Jr. and the late Sara Hatley Wathen. She graduated Pinecrest High School in 1980 and went on to attend East Carolina University. In 1989 she met, and later married her husband Ray Testa. At that time, Andrea moved with Ray to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas where she worked for many years at the Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas before moving back to Pinehurst, NC in 2000. Upon their return to Pinehurst, Andrea and Ray started a new aerospace parts business where she had a leading role in the day to day operations. Andrea loved both the beaches and the mountains. There was nothing she enjoyed more than spending time at their vacation homes in both locations. She enjoyed walks on the beach and deep snows in the mountains. All of these were always accompanied by her beloved animals over the years, especially her dogs Sheltie, Denver and Savannah. Andrea was also an accomplished chef who loved cooking, especially for her family and friends. She loved the opportunity to go to new restaurants, watching the cooking channel and getting new ideas to create dishes of her own.
Andrea is survived by her husband Ray, her father Wendell (Red) Wathen, her brother Scott Wathen, his wife Kerry and their children Morgan and Mathew of Southern Pines. She is also survived by her beloved four legged friend Savannah. Andrea was preceded in death by her mother Sara Hatley Wathen.
A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated Saturday, March 24th, 11:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 300 Dundee Rd. Pinehurst. There will be a small graveside service on Saturday March 24th at 12:00 noon at the Pinelawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, 1105 Morganton Rd. Southern Pines.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Moore Humane Society, PO Box 203 Southern Pines, N.C. 28388.
Online condolences: BolesFuneralHome.com.
Mrs. Testa’s family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at Sandhills Sentinel.
