Andrea succumbed to her illness after a courageous six-year battle with ovarian cancer. Andrea heroically fought her illness, often defying the experts and odds while living her life during this time without complaint or apparent debilitation, and with strength, dignity, and grace. Andrea left behind a legacy of hard work, love, and kindness towards those around her. Andrea was a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley for over 25 years.
She was a Baron’s top female financial advisor in 2006 and 2007 and loved the challenge involved with her job. Andrea was an avid church goer, and made an effort to contribute to the church community in any way she could. She was a proud mother to her two children, Olivia and Christian, and a devoted wife. Throughout her illness, Andrea made sure that nothing came before her love for her family.
It is because of Andrea’s dedication to those she loved and relentless ability to fight her disease that we choose to help others in her name today. Andrea Grace Soter-Simonson was a beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend born and raised in Southern California. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2002.
The Mermaid at Soter Point was dedicated in Andrea’s memory by her father, Andrew Soter, in 2011. Marina Park was one of Andrea’s favorite places. She frequented the beach and playground with her children, Olivia and Christian, always joined by friends and family. Andrea could often be found on long walks through the Ventura Keys and Pierpont neighborhoods on her way back to client meetings having taken an hour to enjoy her community. Andrea’s favorite things to say on those beautiful Southern California days was “Another Day in Paradise.”
An interpretation of the mermaid statute in teal blue—the color for ovarian cancer—is now the Andrea’s Foundation logo. It represents our shared passion, commitment, and love for Ventura County.
This stunning landmark overlooking the Ventura Harbor represents a trailblazing cooperative effort to beautify our community through private citizens working with public agencies. Andy Soter developed and landscaped the area in memory of his daughter Andrea, a successful and much admired investment manager. The mermaid sculpture and its foundation were donated by Russian emigrants Alec and Tatyana Benke, as an expression of love for their new country, America. Samuel Povar created the first collaboration of this nature in 2007 as a tribute to his late wife Orianna and worked tirelessly to make this Marina Park project a reality. And, the Ventura City Council and the Coastal Commission gave their enthusiastic blessing. Now Povar, Soter, and Benke, all Ventura residents, hope to inspire others to use private capital along with public cooperation and support…to envision something beautiful and make it happen.
The Mermaid at Soter Point was dedicated in Andrea’s memory by her father, Andrew Soter, in 2011. Marina Park was one of Andrea’s favorite places. She frequented the beach and playground with her children, Olivia and Christian, always joined by friends and family. Andrea could often be found on long walks through the Ventura Keys and Pierpont neighborhoods on her way back to client meetings having taken an hour to enjoy her community. Andrea’s favorite things to say on those beautiful Southern California days was “Another Day in Paradise.”
An interpretation of the mermaid statute in teal blue—the color for ovarian cancer—is now the Andrea’s Foundation logo. It represents our shared passion, commitment, and love for Ventura County.
This stunning landmark overlooking the Ventura Harbor represents a trailblazing cooperative effort to beautify our community through private citizens working with public agencies. Andy Soter developed and landscaped the area in memory of his daughter Andrea, a successful and much admired investment manager. The mermaid sculpture and its foundation were donated by Russian emigrants Alec and Tatyana Benke, as an expression of love for their new country, America. Samuel Povar created the first collaboration of this nature in 2007 as a tribute to his late wife Orianna and worked tirelessly to make this Marina Park project a reality. And, the Ventura City Council and the Coastal Commission gave their enthusiastic blessing. Now Povar, Soter, and Benke, all Ventura residents, hope to inspire others to use private capital along with public cooperation and support…to envision something beautiful and make it happen.
