Andrea “Gussie” Lou Blue

Andrea Lou “Gussie” Blue, née Cokusis, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 19 at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Illinois. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Gussie was born in Gary, Indiana on May 24, 1945 to Gus and June Cokusis. A nurturer from the start, Gussie doted on her four siblings and bravely thwarted any would-be playground bullies.

When she was just 18 years old, Gussie’s husband, Dave, spotted her from afar at Millikin University - perhaps due in part to her marvelously hairsprayed beehive - and knew he had to meet her. Their 58-year love story began soon after, taking them from the Midwest to the Northeast and back as they raised their four children, traveled the globe, and forged countless dear friendships along the way.

As a young mother, Gussie joined the Junior Women’s Club in Wheaton. She gave back to the community, and was rewarded with friends that lasted a lifetime—a win-win in her book.

A whip-smart Jeopardy! whiz with a remarkable memory, Gussie later completed a degree in computer science from Elmhurst College while working full-time as a computer programmer analyst and caring for her family. An avid multisport athlete, she also carved out time for tennis, and was known for her prowess on the court. If it involved a ball, she played it—even joining softball and bowling leagues along the way. Despite her busy schedule, she always made time to soothe a skinned knee or cheer on her kids in their own sports.

In 1989, after vacationing on Sanibel Island, Gussie and Dave decided to make it their second home. They never predicted that their Sanibel friends would also become a second family. Their Sanibel days were filled with tennis, golf (which she played while completing crossword puzzles), sunshine and seashells. While Gussie came to golf later in life, she developed a love for the sport and her cherished community of golf buddies—so much so that her annual journeys between Sanibel and Barrington were determined by her tennis and golf calendar.

Gussie loved nothing more than spending time with her family, preparing feasts and gathering around the table to share memories and laughter. If she loved you, she cooked for you, rolling out homemade noodles (an eggshell of this, a handful of that) and sheet after sheet of delectable cookies. The quintessential grandma, Gussie (known as “Grandy” and “DeeDee” to her grandchildren) hosted an annual spaghetti dinner featuring her much-loved homemade sauce followed by a cookie-making extravaganza each year in the weeks before Christmas. This much-anticipated event defined the holiday season for each of her eight grandchildren.

Far from a traditional mom or granny, Gussie could often be seen speeding around town in her cherry-red targa top convertible with a manual transmission—top-down, of course—sparkly visor glinting and hair flying.

A devoted advocate for breast cancer research, Gussie chaired and co-chaired the Play for P.I.N.K. fundraiser at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club for five years. A meticulous bookkeeper, she ensured that every possible penny went to finding a cure.

Gussie looked forward to her annual August treks to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a tradition that began in her childhood and continued throughout her life. No one was better at spotting a petoskey; her family will sorely miss her sharp eyes and witty banter as she searched the shoreline.

Gussie is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Dave Blue; her loving children, Scott (Pam) Blue, Brett Blue, Kim (Steve) Johannes, Matt (Renee) Blue; eight grandchildren; and siblings Cami, Ricky, Gus and Cindy. She was preceded in death by her parents, June and Gus Cokusis, and her daughter-in-law, Debra Blue.

A celebration of Gussie’s life will be held on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at Makray Memorial Golf Club, 1010 S. Northwest Hwy. in Barrington, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a buffet luncheon from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Play for P.I.N.K. https://www.playforpink.org/donate/

Farewell for now, sweet Gussie. We will see you in every sunset.