Parkinson’s walk dedicated to Westmount woman

Marion Andrews donated brain for research

Frank Andrews was a teen driving the drag in Sydney Mines with a friend when he met the woman who would become his wife, Marion Andrews.

The year was 1970 and the couple, who has two children and two granddaughters, celebrated 46 years of marriage in August, just days before Marion, who had Parkinson’s disease, died.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive degenerative brain disorder that can affect movement. For Marion, her ability to walk was affected right from her diagnosis in 2013.

The annual SuperWalk fundraiser at the Grand Lake Road Fire Hall was dedicated to her memory on Sunday.

Both Frank and his daughter, Junell Andrews, said they had “mixed emotions” about the walk being dedicated to Marion’s memory.

“It’s hard to describe. It’s an honour that they did that, but she had to pass away for it to happen,” said Frank, who moved to Westmount with his family in 1980.

“It’s nice that they chose her but on the other hand I’d rather be anywhere than here.”

Known as a generous person, Marion was active in the local Parkinson’s group’s physical fitness classes and did fundraising for the cause, something her family plans to continue.

One of Marion’s last wishes was to donate her brain to Dalhousie University for research into Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases.

“She was always giving something to someone, mostly anonymously,” Frank said.

“Parkinson’s can be heredity and with a son and a daughter, if they can find something in Marion… perhaps they can find a cure.”

Frank’s son, Aaron Andrews, wasn’t at the walk because he is currently in Scotland but did participate in a SuperWalk on Sunday.

Frank hopes Marion’s story will inspire others.

“I’m hopeful that more people will donate their bodies to further that research,” he said. The Sydney event raised about $22,000.

NIKKI SULLIVAN/CAPE BRETON POST A picture of Marion Andrews, whom the 2018 SuperWalk in Sydney was dedicated to, was set up at the registration table on Sunday. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013, she died on Aug. 19 and donated her brain to Dalhousie University for research.

NIKKI SULLIVAN/CAPE BRETON POST Frank Andrews, right, stands with his daughter, Junell Andrews and his granddaughters Holly Andrews-Sidney and Clara Beth Andrews-Sidney at the Grand Lake Road Fire Hall on Sunday. They were there for the annual Parkinson’s SuperWalk, which was dedicated to the memory of Frank’s late wife Marion Andrews, who died in August, shortly after the couple’s 46th wedding anniversary.