Obituary of Andrea Corcoran Walter
Andrea Corcoran Walter
Andrea C. Walter, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, educator, and avid knitter, passed away peacefully at home on April 9, 2026.
She is survived by Jim, her partner of 15 years; her sons Gerard (Mary Ann) and Thomas (Lisa); her grandchildren Kristina (Matthew), Alexandria (Robert), Derek (Kelsey), Morgan (Stephen), and Gerard (Jen); seven great-grandchildren; and many dear friends in both Rochester, New York and Florida. She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Anne Corcoran, and her infant sister, Kathy.
Andrea was born into an Irish family in Syracuse, New York in 1942 and later moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1950s when her father, who worked in the steel industry, was transferred there. She graduated from Mount Alvernia High School and went on to attend Duquesne University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She continued her education at the University of Rochester, earning a Doctorate in Education.
In 1968, Andrea moved to Rochester, New York to begin what would become a distinguished and impactful career teaching literature in the College of Liberal Arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology and at SUNY Geneseo. She had a deep passion for the arts and took great joy in inspiring her students to appreciate literature, theater, and visual art. She frequently organized visits to regional galleries and performances and especially enjoyed leading trips to Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, where students experienced the works of Shakespeare and Shaw.
Andrea lived a full and vibrant life beyond the classroom. A lifelong lover of the arts, she was a frequent attendee of the theater and a dedicated supporter of Rochester’s cultural community. She also found joy in simple, meaningful routines—swimming at the YMCA and knitting tirelessly to ensure her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were always wrapped in her love through handmade blankets, sweaters, socks, scarves, and hats.
She was also an enthusiastic traveler, exploring destinations around the world including the former Soviet Union, China, Australia, Japan, and Poland, where she spent a semester teaching English. Her love of travel continued throughout her life, especially with Jim, as they shared many adventures together, including a memorable Mississippi River cruise with their children and grandchildren.
Above all, Andrea was devoted to her family. She took immense pride in their accomplishments and found her greatest joy in the time they spent together.
A celebration of Andrea’s life will be held on Saturday, May 16th at 1:00pm with memorial hours to follow until 4:00pm, at Valley Manor in Rochester, New York.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Andrea’s memory may be made to Geva Theatre Center or the Memorial Art Gallery.