Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Andrea ‘Andi’ Wobst-Jeney

Andrea ‘Andi’ Wobst-Jeney

SALISBURY — Andrea “Andi” Wobst-Jeney passed away unexpectedly in Salisbury on Jan. 15, 2021. 

Andi was born in Lynchburg, Va., on Dec. 25, 1965. She was preceded in death by her father, Frank G. Wobst; and her father-in-law, Evan Jeney. She is survived by her mother, Joan Wobst; her husband, Steve Jeney, and their two sons, Alexander “Zander” and Frank “Frankie” Jeney; her brother and sister-in-law, Franck and Leigh Ann Wobst; her sister and brother-in-law, Ingrid Wobst and Kerry Hanes; her mother-in-law, Carol Jeney; her brother-in-law, Chris Jeney; and her nieces and nephews, Andrew Wobst and his wife, Rachel, Audrey Wobst Stanley and her husband, Tyler, Samantha Wobst and Jake, Harley, Jasper and Henry Hanes. 

In 1974 Andi moved with her family to Columbus, Ohio, when her father, Frank Wobst, accepted a position at the Huntington National Bank. Andi attended Tremont Elementary before transferring to Columbus School for Girls. Andi loved her years at CSG and she excelled in both academics and athletics. 

After high school Andi attended Georgetown University and graduated with honors in language and linguistics. While an undergraduate at Georgetown, Andi spent her junior year studying in Munich, Germany.

Andi valued her German heritage. As a child and young adult, she spent many vacations visiting relatives in Germany. As Andi and her siblings married and had children of their own, the Wobst-family vacations continued and expanded. The planning and execution of these epic family trips were her father’s passion, and the memories created are treasured by the entire family. 

Soon after they were married in 1988, Andi and Steve moved to the Back Bay in Boston, where the couple’s kids were born. 

During that time Andi developed a love for endurance running, completing more than seven marathons including the Boston Marathon three times. She was known for always running the second half faster than the first, and for celebrating after the marathon with dancing and karaoke late into the night. 

Andi’s mother, Joan, is a respected and talented artist. When asked to create “The Umbrella Girl,” Joan used Andi as her model. The Umbrella Girl is now a beloved landmark and a symbol of German Village. 

Andi shared her mother’s artistic talent. She had a wonderful ability to envision a space as it could be and then to bring that vision to life. Andi served as president of the board of the Roy G. Biv Art Gallery and a was a longterm board member of Columbus’s Pro Musica Chamber Music Orchestra. 

Andi understood the value of friendship and cherished every one of them. If you were a friend of Andi’s it was a friendship for life, and you knew she had your back under any circumstance. Those close to her would often hear her quirky anecdotes on subjects ranging from true crime to her interactions with the many colorful people she came to know. Andi was the kind of special person that is rarely encountered, never forgotten, and always loved by those she touched. 

Family was important to Andi, especially her sons, Zander and Frankie. She adored them and was incredibly proud of the men they had become. Speaking of and to her boys always brought Andi joy. Zander and Frankie are comforted in their mourning of their mother by the knowledge that they are the much loved and cherished sons of a remarkable woman.

Andi’s joie de vivre is what we will all remember. Confident in any setting, she was the life of the party but also made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. 

She was irreverent but witty beyond words. 

She had a way of making everyone feel like they were the only one in the room and did it with ease and grace. 

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the charity of your choice in honor of Andi’s memory.

Details of Andi’s Celebration of Life will be forthcoming. Arrangements are by Schoedinger Northwest of Columbus. Go to www.schoedinger.com to share a memory of Andi.

Latest News

Sam Lardner returns to the Northwest Corner for Vecinos Seguros 2 benefit

Sam Lardner and Barcelona will play a benefit for Vecinos Seguros 2 at Salisbury Congregational Church on Friday, July 24.

Virgo Martinez

On Friday, July 24, musician and educator Sam Lardner and his band, Barcelona, will take the stage at Salisbury Congregational Church for a benefit concert supporting Vecinos Seguros 2, an all-volunteer organization that provides emergency assistance and rapid-response support to immigrant families in Northwest Connecticut affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

Lardner, who attended and later taught at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville before moving to Spain in 1997, still considers the Northwest Corner his home in the United States. “It’s such a special place,” he said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Karina Powers and the power of tradition

Karina Powers teaches traditional dances from Mexico in Millbrook.

Lucia Iandolo
This is an art and the arts unite nations.
—Karina Powers

Karina Powers began dancing at 4 years old. A professional dancer, singer, performer and Mexican folklore dance professor from Baja California, Mexico, she is the youngest of three sisters who were all involved in the arts. Powers now teaches traditional Mexican dances to adults through her company, Compañía De Danza Folklórica Regional Mexicana, in Millbrook. She said she has a strong passion for the history and art that exist within the dances she teaches, and she hopes to instill that passion in her students.

“Many of them have never danced this type of dance,” said Powers. “They’re from Mexico, but they came to the United States at a young age to work. They have that dream to learn, and now they have this opportunity.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Across generations at Litchfield Jazz Festival

Bucky Pizzarelli and Brandon Goldberg at the Litchfield Jazz Festival in 2017.

Lindsey Victoria Photography

The Litchfield Jazz Festival opens its 2026 season on Friday, July 24, at the Frederick Gunn School in Washington, Connecticut. The evening will feature a gala and a concert led by saxophonist Don Braden featuring the Litchfield Jazz Fest Dectet.

The festival began in 1996 and has been going strong ever since. The list of past performers reads like a who’s who of modern jazz greats, including Christian McBride, Soulive, Joshua Redman, Dave Douglas, Brad Mehldau and John Scofield, all of whom helped revive the genre for a new generation of fans at the turn of the millennium. Vocalists like Diana Krall, Dionne Warwick and Dr. John have made appearances as well. And, of course, the festival has been graced by established masters like saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Wayne Shorter; guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli; bassist Rufus Reid; drummers Roy Haynes and Tito Puente; the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; and pianists Dave Brubeck and local legend Ahmad Jamal.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

No grumbling here: Children’s theater camp returns

Danny Saed, assistant director of “Pinocchio”; his mother and co-founder of Grumbling Gryphons Leslie Elias; theater arts camper Joyce Sun; artist and counselor Natalie Resto; and Steven Sun, Joyce Sun’s father.

Jack Sheedy

Leslie Elias wants you to understand something about the group she calls Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children’s Theater: “I like to say that we try not to grumble.”

For 46 years, she has used the nonprofit to educate and entertain children in the performing arts. Summer after summer, young campers learn about acting, singing, mask-making, costume-making and scenery painting. This year, as in years past, a five-day theater arts camp will culminate in a live performance of one of Elias’ original plays, guaranteed, she hopes, to quell all grumbling.

Keep ReadingShow less

Sea bass and shrimp gumbo

Sea bass and shrimp gumbo

Sea bass and shrimp gumbo

Bobby Graham

Each month, Dugazon owners Bobby Graham and Matthew Marden share a recipe inspired by the traditions, stories and sense of welcome at the heart of their shop in Sharon, Connecticut. Visit Dugazon at 19 W. Main St. Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and online at dugazonshop.com.

This month we’re sharing one of our favorite comfort foods: sea bass and shrimp gumbo. While gumbo has a reputation for being a labor of love, this version skips the traditional roux, making it surprisingly approachable. The ingredient list may seem long, but once everything is prepped, it comes together quickly, rewarding you with a rich, flavorful bowl that’s perfect any time of year. Many of the pantry staples you’ll need for this recipe can be found right here at Dugazon.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sweet Petunia: a benefit to support Random Harvest

Alt folk duo Sweet Petunia to perform a benefit at Random Harvest on Saturday, July 25.

Provided

On Saturday, July 25, Americana/Alt Folk duo Sweet Petunia will perform at Random Harvest in Craryville, a worker-owned market, café and community space that supports farmers and brings people together through locally sourced food. The concert comes just months after the fatal two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 23 and County Route 7 that devastated the hamlet, disrupted local businesses and left a lasting emotional impact on the community.

After the crash, Random Harvest remained open and committed to connecting people through food and community. Simpson said the duo looks forward to contributing to a healing experience through their music.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.