Helen Andrews, R.I.P.

Matriarch (noun), 1. the female head of a family or tribal line. 2. a woman who is the founder or dominant member of a community or group. 3. a venerable old woman.

Helen Andrews was all of these to us, and more. She was a friend. Helen founded Andrews Pueblo Pottery in 1974, and was active in the business until her retirement five years ago. She passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2009, in Virginia, where she was living near her daughter Susan.

In her time, Helen knew many of the matriarchs of Pueblo pottery--Maria Martinez, Margaret Tafoya, Lucy Lewis--and many of the patriarchs as well. They became her friends, too, as did their sons and daughters and nieces and nephews.

For those who knew Helen and those who never had the great pleasure, we have posted a memorial page with a brief history:

Helen's page


Robert Andrews
Andrews Pueblo Pottery
Please call us locally at 505-243-0414 or toll-free at 877-606-0543

Helen Andrews with husband Edward, who worked at Sandia National Laboratories before his retirement. Edward passed away in 2003. He was not actively involved in Andrews Pueblo Pottery, but supported Helen's efforts and was much loved by all who knew him.


ABOUT ANDREWS PUEBLO POTTERY
Located in Albuquerque New Mexico's historic Old Town, Andrews Pueblo Pottery is a family owned business that has offered authentic Native American pottery since 1974. Often purchased directly from the artists, our inventory includes pottery from all the active New Mexico Pueblos, Hopi and Navajo Reservations, Native American basketry, fetish carvings, katsina dolls, beadwork and jewelry, as well paintings and sculpture by Sheldon Harvey and serigraphs by Doug West. We also offer historic and hard-to-find items from important collections of Native American art.