Andrea Denise Martin Bachrach

Andrea Denise Martin Bachrach
April 26, 1943 – December 28, 2024
Obituary

Andrea Denise Martin Bachrach was born on April 26, 1943, in Bronx, NYC, NY, to Gertrude Beatrice (Silverman) Martin and Solomon Martin. She passed away peacefully in her home in Burlingame, California, on December 28, 2024.

Andrea was preceded in death by her beloved older brother, Michael Martin, a professor of mathematics at the University of Denver, who passed away in 2001. She is survived by: her younger sister, Jane Martin of Berkeley, an elementary school teacher; her two cherished daughters, Nicole Solomon Lindahl Ruiz and Lauren Dana Lindahl, and her grandchildren: Sol Elijahu Ruiz, Juniper Ruth McGuire, Naomi Dawn McGuire, and Flor Vivian Ruiz* ; her many stepchildren and step-grandchildren; her niece Miriam Casalaina Martin and nephews Doug Martin, Sebastian Casalaina Martin, and Neil Martin and their spouses and children, and her devoted husband Robert Bachrach..

Andrea, known affectionately as “Andie,” had a serene presence and was the embodiment of a true friend. She maintained many close-knit friendships throughout her lifetime, and was a vital hub and host for her vast extended family. She possessed intelligence in many forms, valuing what truly mattered while gracefully navigating the unnecessary. She was both intellectual and spiritual, a clear thinker with a gentle yet profound way of approaching life. Despite her remarkable intelligence and numerous accomplishments, she carried herself with humility and warmth. Many remember her for the soothing and grounded quality of her voice. Above all, Andrea will be remembered for her kindness, her deep care for others, and her unwavering sense of calm.

Education and Early Career

After her childhood in the Bronx, Andrea attended New Rochelle High School before graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After traveling through Europe, spending three months on a kibbutz in Israel, and visiting the Greek Isles, she returned to New York City where she worked as a social worker for the Children’s Aid Society.

Andrea began a career as a Technical Writer, pursuing Journalism in the late ‘60’s. Andrea had a Modern Language Association Fellowship for graduate work at Yale University in 1970. As a journalist, she served as associate editor of Chemical Week, assistant editor of Business & Commercial Aviation, and as editorial consultant to the New York City Health Services Administration. She published freelance articles in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette and other publications.

Andrea was accepted into a Master’s Program in Journalism at Stanford University, but did not attend as she transitioned to Public Relations in 1973.

Public Relations Career and Entrepreneurship

Andrea first worked for Paul Purdom & Company in San Francisco, where she became a senior account supervisor for marketing and public relations. She directed programs for Hewlett-Packard, Varian Associates, Memorex and Telenova, among others, with special emphasis on data communications, telecommunications, client-server computing and software.

In 1985, Andrea founded Martin Communications, a public relations firm specializing in strategic consulting for high-tech companies. In 1988 she joined Shandwick/Hi-Tech Communications as Vice President and was a member of the Board of Directors. As head of the Sun Microsystems account team, she planned and directed the agency program that launched the first SPARCstation and expanded Sun’s Connect-a-Thon into an industry event. She also headed the teams for such companies as Ascend Communications, Asante Technologies, Ascom Timeplex, Microlog, VMX (Octel) and Racal-Vadic.

In 1992, Andrea resumed Martin Communications in order to have more flexible hours for raising her daughters. She described Martin Communications as providing in-depth strategic consulting services to entrepreneurial clients. These companies valued senior level counsel and program implementation without the high overhead of larger public relations firms. Martin Communications worked closely with top management at several high technology companies, including Combinet, Imperial Software Technology, Interlink Computer Sciences and Trident Data Systems. A Martin Communications Brochure listed these career highlights.

The Gurdjieff Work

Beginning in her mid 20’s, Andrea was introduced to the teachings of G.I.Gurdjieff and became an active participant in this teaching. She emerged as both a leader and a teacher of the Gurdjieff Movements, also known as Sacred Dances. The Gurdjieff Work was an essential component and central part of her life, providing both intellectual and spiritual fulfillment, as was the community it provided.

Personal Life and Family

Andrea was married to Harold Terry Lindahl 1978-1990, his third marriage following a long-distance courtship between New York City and San Francisco starting in 1976. Andrea was devoted to her two daughters and organized her life around providing for and taking care of her kids.

In December 1993, Andrea was introduced to Robert Bachrach through a Jewish Federation computer matching program based on a few keywords. Andrea had been planning to drop out of the program, but was encouraged to stay with a free month. That decision changed both their lives. At the time Robert was living in Palo Alto and they first met at Mel’s Diner in San Francisco in January 1994. They were married in a private ceremony on the Island of Hawaiʻi on December 29^th, 1995 and then in a Jewish Ceremony on November 10, 1996 in the Fort Mason Chapel. In the summer of 1997 they moved together to their new home in Burlingame, CA.

Andrea created a warm and welcoming home environment. She loved to cook and often hosted large family gatherings of which there were many. Her ability for bringing people together to celebrate traditions and joyful occasions was a hallmark of her warmth, kindness and generosity.

Health Journey and Final Years

In January 2000, Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a difficult but ultimately successful treatment. Andrea closed Martin Communications and embraced a new chapter of life. While recovering, she volunteered as a docent at the California Academy of Science. She developed a new career teaching reading as a Lindamood-Bell tutor and then was certified to be a substitute teacher which she continued until 2014. At that time, she began taking piano lessons with Rena Ling, took voice lessons and a class in Ikebana flower arranging. Andrea was always active, exercising, and concerned for the environment.

In May 2023 we held an 80^th Birthday Celebration for Andrea at the Burlingame Community Center. In June 2023 Andrea developed Covid-19 although she had been fully vaccinated and boosted. By July it was thought she had long Covid, however, in December a CT Scan showed that in fact she had stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. Her Endocrinologist Dr. Grace Kim had picked up on some subtle changes in her blood Calcium level and requested a test. Biopsy testing by Variantyx and blood testing by FoundationOne determined she had a rare form called NRG 2 Fusion for which there were no genetically targeted treatment. Standard of care treatments were only effective for three months and left her with refractory colitis. The cancer did not affect her breathing but progressively robbed her of energy. By October 2024 Andrea entered hospice care.

A Life Well Lived

Andrea and Robert enjoyed together attending plays, concerts, dance performances and family events. In addition to individual travels, they often travelled together in the United States and visiting Mexico, China, Taiwan, Japan, Israel, England, France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Andrea had a life-long fascination for the Greek Isles which they visited in 2002.

Andrea lived with curiosity, grace, and an ever-expanding sense of wonder and touched countless lives with her wisdom, kindness, and quiet strength. She leaves behind a wide community of friends and family who will always remember her for her warmth, insights and deeply caring.

May her memory forever be a blessing and a light.

Andrea & Gail Koff Hyannis Cape Cod MA 2010

Pictures of Andrea

Garden of Dreams

*Andrea’s Daughters and Grandchildren

Nicole Solomon Lindahl Ruiz Arnoldo Ruiz	Lauren Dana Lindahl Pete McGuire
Sol Elijahu Ruiz 8/28/2018	Juniper Ruth McGuire 10/11/2018
Flor Vivian Ruiz 9/14/2022	Naomi McGuire 6/28/2020

Tags: Obituary, Legacy, Memorial, Death, Death Notice