AUBURN — Andrea Anton, 63, passed away on Dec. 12, at the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, after a long illness. She was surrounded by friends and family and will be dearly missed.

Drea was born March 11, 1949, and grew up in Cape Elizabeth with her parents, two sisters and brother. She attended Cape Elizabeth High School and graduated from the McDuffie School in 1968. Drea was a strong, beautiful and independent woman who engaged in a variety of careers. Her innate talents and intelligence enabled her to learn new jobs and tasks with ease.

She had an incredible, natural flair for all things domestic. She was a gourmet cook and wonderful decorator. She loved the outdoors and gardening and her farm in western Maine gave her great solace and enjoyment. She enjoyed kayaking and fishing on the many lakes in the area. She was also incredibly strong and split and stacked her own firewood.

Drea was devoted to her family and friends. She provided care for both her mother and late father, until her health issues became severe. When family or friends needed anything, Drea was the first one there to help. She gave of herself tirelessly and with great love and empathy. She was the first to offer support in times of need, encouragement to those in times of self-doubt and was always ready to celebrate with others their achievements in life.

Although Drea had no children of her own, her nieces, nephew and grandnieces and nephews were her pride and joy. She loved these children as her own and got great joy from each of them. She was a wonderful, fun-loving, incredibly generous aunt who was always ready to play with them and entertain them. In the summertime, the entire clan would converge at her farm for fun, food, laughter and stories. It would be chaotic, but Drea loved it and looked forward to each summer’s gatherings.

In addition to a large extended family, Drea had many dear friends from a variety of circles. She had friends from childhood, from her time in Georgia and from the variety of her careers. These were wonderful, true friends who confided and supported each other and laughed and cried together. It was the support of these friends and her long-time companion, Larry Hogan, that enabled her to spend her last weeks at her farm with her beloved dog, Chili.

Drea is survived by her mother, Jean Taylor Cardwell Anton of Greenwood; her sister, Dr. Constance Anton Price and her husband, Greg, of Emmittsburg, Md.; her brother, Eric and his wife, Elizabeth and their children, Eric Taylor Anton and Marilyn Louise Anton of Falmouth; and nieces, Alexandra Barker, Olivia Barker, Pamela Shockey and their respective spouses and children. Drea also has many cousins from both sides of her family and two surviving uncles.

She was predeceased by her sister, Stephanie in 1994; and her father in October of this year.