Andrea Jeannette Flateau

September 12, 1952 – July 6, 2023

Andrea Jeannette Flateau lived an exemplary, joyful, inspirational, and faith-based life. She was proud of who she was, yet exceedingly humble and kind beyond measure. She was an intelligent, meticulous, and accomplished professional, but caring for family was always her top priority. She was an extraordinary daughter; a feisty but fierce ally to her siblings; the most generous, loving aunt to her nieces and nephews; and the most thoughtful cousin to countless relatives.
Andrea was the sixth of seven children of Sidney Flateau, Sr. and Jeanne Hill Flateau. They were a young married couple when they moved from Jersey City to Brooklyn, New York in 1946. Three children were born in Jersey City: Sidney, Jr., Anne and Alice. Four more were born in Brooklyn: John, Adele, ANDREA and Richard. Although she grew up as part of “The Three Little Kids,” within the sibling camp — Andrea became the most loving, devoted, and selfless sister to all of her siblings. There was nothing she would not do to help and protect her family.
Andrea’s lifetime commitment to faith and charitable works reflected the religious traditions of her parents. Sidney Flateau, Sr., born in New Orleans, Louisiana, was raised as a devout Catholic and became an active parishioner of St. Peter Claver Church in Brooklyn. Jeanne Flateau, born in Philadelphia, was baptized as a Catholic, but raised as an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) who later joined the Bridge St. AWME Church in Brooklyn. Andrea attended St. Peter Claver Elementary School and Bishop McDonnell Memorial HS. She was a strong proponent of Faith with Action. In her own words, she stated, “Both of our parents Sidney and Jeanne, ‘walked the talk’; it has been a legacy passed down through at least seven family generations.”

In her retirement years, she became engrossed with our family genealogy research, helping to document the tragic roots and eventual triumphs of our enslaved ancestors on our maternal side (DC-Maryland-Virginia) as well as our paternal side (Louisiana).
A competitive academic, Andrea received a 4-year Cardinal Medeiros Scholarship for her bachelor’s degree at Brooklyn College, City University of New York. She earned her master’s degree in public administration from John Jay College, CUNY. Andrea lived a life of service and civic engagement from her childhood until her very last days. In her early years, she was a member of Claver’s Brownie and Girl Scout Troops. In later years, she joined many civic, academic, and service organizations – usually becoming a leader or officer.
In keeping with her spirit of helping others, she became a Human Resource professional. In 1979, Andrea started working with the City of New York at the Model Cities program. In 1985, she became Personnel Director with the NYC Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services where she was later promoted to Assistant Commissioner for Human Resources. In 2002, this agency merged with the NYC Department of Health where Andrea continued to work in the Bureau of Human Resources. In her last position, Andrea worked in the Bureau of Operations at the Fort Greene Health Clinic, retiring in 2014 to focus on her own health.
Andrea was a proud member of Bridge Street AWME Church. She was involved with many organizations including: Willoughby Walk Co-op Assoc. (WWCA) Seniors & Retirees Committee, Shareholders Screening Committee, Financial Committee, and Book Club; Community Council for Medgar Evers College, Inc.; American Bridge Association-Bklyn Duplicates Bridge Club; NYC Managerial Employees Association.; African Atlantic Genealogical Society (AAGS); and the 88th Precinct Council. She also was a 50-year founding member of the Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA).

Andrea Jeannette Flateau became a member of the National Association of University Women- Brooklyn Branch in 1989, recruited by her mother, Jeanne Hill Flateau who was a member for 43 years until her death in 2005. Jeanne and Andrea recruited three more sisters: Anne, Alice and Adele, each of whom has served in at least one officer position. Andrea served in the roles of Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Vice President and President; on and several committees raising donations for the organization’s scholarship fund; educating the membership and community through our Black and Women’s History Months events; and initiating partnerships for the branch to collaborate with other organizations including Medgar Evers College Community Council and the Billie Holiday Theatre. Andrea remained active with the Civic Engagement and Health Committees until her last year of life.
In 2011, Andrea was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer and began treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY. From that time until her passing, she remained under the compassionate care and medical guidance of oncologist, Dr. Victoria Blinder. Andrea was a most diligent, compliant, but ever-vigilant and questioning patient. She battled this horrific disease more bravely and fiercely than anyone could even imagine. She never let this challenge define her or limit her …. until all her strength was finally exhausted on the morning of July 6, 2023 at a Brooklyn nursing home.
We will never forget our beautiful Andrea, loved, and respected by all who knew her – and never to be forgotten. May she rest in eternal peace and power.
Submitted by The Family of Andrea Jeannette Flateau