Swannee Edmond Nardandrea

Swannee Edmond Nardandrea, aged 65, passed away suddenly at home on December 26th, 2024. She is survived by her husband John Paul Nardandrea, her daughters Amber (Dan) Pepper and Coral Nardandrea, her grandchildren Liana and Theo Pepper, her sisters Jennifer (Dave) Gorman and Brenda (Jerry) Edmond-Drain, and her nephews Garrett (Katie) and Travis (Andrea) Edmond.

She is preceded in death by her father Clarence (“Dub”), Mother Irma Dean, and brothers Randy and Shane Edmond.

Swannee was born on October 30th, 1959, in Tucson, Arizona. A self-described desert rat, a young Swannee could often be found painting cacti, perching horny toads on her shoulders, and collecting neighborhood mutts on walks home from the bus stop. She attended the University of Florida, where she pioneered a new degree in Scientific Illustration, before working as an illustrator with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In her science classes, she met John, and after many attempts to convince him to “help” her with a microscope she fully knew how to use, he asked her on a date. They were married for 41 years.

Her daughters’ lives were filled with beauty and art—no wall in their home remained untouched for long—and from a young age, she instilled in them her great respect for nature and deep love for animals. Paintings of curious birds, nibbling squirrels, and vining plants fill every room. Vistas depicting her expertly planned family vacations, from the vineyards of Italy to the red cliffs of Sedona, can still be found hanging in the homes of her loved ones. She loved to host for holidays like Halloween and Christmas and adorned her home from top to bottom to evoke the unique magic of every season.

Swannee’s proudest achievement, other than raising her daughters to be gracious, witty, and fiercely independent, and being intimately involved with raising her spirited grandchildren, was her work with The Guide Dog Foundation. She raised three puppies, “Batzy,” Caroline, and Driggers, during her time with the organization.

A celebration of life is planned for 11:00 am on Sunday, January 19th at the Country Club of Ocala. In lieu of flowers, her family asks mourners to place a donation to name a new guide dog in her honor, so that her vivacious spirit may live on doing the work she loved so much.

Please donate here: gofundme.com/swannee