Carmen “Andraya” Henrie

Carmen Andraya Henrie passed away peacefully on May 10, 2023 at the tender age of 36, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband Bradley Henrie and daughter Constance Henrie. Andraya is also survived by her parents, Alfie and Ann Di Pasquale, her sisters Alecia Di Pasquale (Dan Earby) and sweet little niece Olivia, and Audrie Di Pasquale (Ken Bache). Also left to mourn are her in-laws Elton and Karen Henrie, Corrie (Wes) Hartley and 2 nephews Benson and Oliver, and Spencer Henrie. Her nephews loved her dearly and looked forward with anticipation to a “visit from Auntie Andraya.”

Carmen Andraya was born as Carmen Andraya Marissa Theodora Di Pasquale in 1986 at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. Within 4 years, she was followed by her sisters Alecia in 1988 and Audrie in 1990.

During her grade school years, she made two very close friends who continued to influence her for the rest of her life. To Amanda and Judy, a shout out to you both.

On January 7, 2000, Carmen Andraya was diagnosed with Leukaemia, and basically lived at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto from January until July. Having fought through this trial, she was able to enjoy a Disney Cruise in January 2001 courtesy of the Children’s Wish Foundation, with her family. She spoke of this fun experience often and had the hope of enjoying another cruise with her family one day.

She plowed ahead and graduated from Durham College with a degree in Early Childhood education and was ready to spread her wings. She moved to Calgary in 2008. Within a few weeks of her arrival, she began to work at Kids and Company Daycare. She had a true talent for working with children noted by her close-knit group of co workers. She worked for 14 years touching the lives of countless families.

In 2013, her raging head pain led to a diagnosis of a brain tumour, which was resected on May 26th, 2013. She had her surgery in Calgary but moved back to Toronto for her radiation and chemo treatments. After 18 months, feeling great and ready to return to Calgary, Andraya, her little dog Oz, and her mom, Ann, drove a U-Haul back to Calgary in September 2014.

In 2015, Andraya met her future husband and best friend, Bradley Henrie, at church. Following a 2-year courtship, that included supporting Brad through Engineering School, they were married in Cardston on July 8, 2017. They adopted their dog, Daisy and later their cat Cagney, as Andraya loved animals, but wasn’t too fond of Brad’s salamander. They travelled to Toronto and Montreal, made numerous trips to Nelson, B.C. and joined in on many family camping trips. Andraya enjoyed these opportunities to camp with the family, playing card and board games or sitting by a crackling fire roasting vegan marshmallows.

In 2021, Andraya and Brad decided it was time to start a family. However, Andraya’s cancer was unrelenting and while pregnant with Constance, her tumour returned. As a result, Constance Ann Henrie was born via c-section at 31 weeks March 10th, 2021, so Andraya could undergo surgery for her brain tumour a week later. She would never fully recover from this surgery. Together Andraya and Brad worked to ensure Constance grew and they welcomed her home 3 months later. As was always her way, Andraya continued to make the most of family life with Brad and Constance. They engaged in short day activities together as often as her health would allow.

Always the fighter and wishing to have as much time as possible with Brad and Constance, Andraya had a final resection on October 31, 2022. This allowed her the ability to enjoy a final trip to Nelson, celebrate Constance’s 2nd birthday and enjoy a few more months with family and friends she loved.

She fought long and hard for a total of 10 years but finally succumbed to the brain cancer on May 10, 2023, at Southwood Hospice in Calgary with her parents by her side.

Constance, a miracle daughter, granddaughter, cousin, and niece will help us all remember her wonderful mom: a lady with a huge inclusive heart, infectious smile, and desire to serve others.

A Celebration of Andraya’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 10 at 3 pm at Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel, 8241 31st St SE, Calgary, T2C 1H9.

Please come to the service with a prepared memory of Carmen Andraya to share, along with pictures, labeled with names and places. These tributes will be added to a Book of Remembrance created for Constance.