Audrey V. Henry

Audrey V. Henry age 90 passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at her daughter's home in Rochester, NY. She had been living in Rochester in hospice care since December, after a 2 week hospital admittance. Audrey was born July 21, 1930 in Monroe MI to Herbert and Nellie (Gray) McBee. She was a lifelong resident until retirement to Pinellas Park, Fl and then to Cullman, AL near her son's family. At the age of 6, Audrey's family purchased their home at 31 Murray in Monroe, because the yard was bigger than the other house, which is funny because that yard is tiny! She remembers the day they moved in, they ran through the empty house, upstairs and down, it was an exciting day. Audrey's parents raised 7 children in the home, where she was the oldest daughter. She was the third child, following Herbert, Harry, then Audrey, Wilma, Joel, Oma and Larry. Audrey attended Boyd School on Third Street and graduated in 1948 from Monroe High School, where she excelled in basketball. She was also a great swimmer and life guard. Her first car after graduation was a 1952 Chevy 4 door Convertible. When asked if she and her friends drove around to try to pick up boys? She said, "we didn't try, we did!" Audrey met Wantsley David "Dave" Henry at the New Center Bowling Alley and married in 1959 in Toledo, Ohio. His snappy clothes and fancy car is what attracted her to him. Their son, David came along and they decided to purchase Audrey's childhood home on Murray Street. Two daughters, Sally (named after her great grandma McBee) and June (named after her Dad's sister, June) were added to the family and grew up in the home. Hilarious memories were made. Audrey made the most of the small yard, every winter she spent time making an ice skating rink. The cousins and neighbor children enjoyed hot chocolate after spending the cold night skating. Extended family members gathered yearly at holiday time. Weekly, family and friends spent time drinking coffee at the kitchen table, catching up on the latest news. Cousins and neighborhood friends joined in birthday parties, playing drop the cloths pin in a bottle and red rover, red rover. Audrey was a champion for her children, attending all the school functions, choir concerts, sporting events, football and track, band concerts, youth events at church, giving rides to other school friends and helping with her kid's first jobs. A huge job was supporting David and Sally with their walking paper routes for the Monroe Evening news, a daily paper route with around 104 customers. For over 4 years, Audrey sometimes would even deliver to half of the route to help out. Being self employed for most of her life, Audrey was an artisan when installing wallpaper. Along with her partners-friends, Audrey worked in countless homes and businesses in Monroe, where many properties still have her décor installed. Papering/painting partners include, June, Beth, Gail, Joyce, Oma and Matilda, barrels of laughter were part of the daily job. Audrey's first job, other than babysitting, was at Jackson's Drug store at the corner of Monroe and Front Streets. She was a telephone long distance operator, a book keeper in a Toledo Window Manufacturers, a line worker at Consolidated Paper in Monroe, a clerk at Kline's Department Store and lunch room aid at Custer School. Audrey's good neighborhood and school friend was Kathleen Thompson-Fanola. Throughout her life Kathleen and Audrey supported each other and worked together. In Audrey's younger adult life she lived with Kathleen and her husband, Secondo. She worked at the Fanola's, Joe's French-Italian restaurant. Kathleen and Audrey had daily merriment at the Slenderizing Center, even composing songs about the business. After retirement Audrey jumped in the fun at Monroe Originals, cooking up the chili with gusto. Audrey was blessed to have wonderful friends like the Fanola's. Audrey attended the Monroe Alliance church in her younger years and was a member of the choir, taught Sunday School and worked in the Vacation Bible School Program. A long time group, that supported each other at the Alliance, dubbed themselves, "The Cracked Pots". Once her husband, "Dave", became a Christian they attended Redeemer Baptist church where they both became involved. Once in Florida, Word of Life became her church home where she sang in the choir and wonderful friendships were made. The Crumpton Family surrounded her with love. Audrey had a servant heart and joined in at the churches she was attending, by being a jack of all trades. She loved to complete small repairs and keep the space in the best inviting condition possible. She enjoyed wherever she worked and made it enjoyable for all those around her. One of Audrey's biggest joys came from her 20 year membership in the 250 person Michigan-Ohio Concert Choir. Under the direction of Thurlow Spurr, she was able to sing and proclaim the love of Jesus throughout the world. Audrey traveled across the US, Israel where she was baptized in the Jordan River, and Russia, where the choir passed our Bibles at the Kremlin. She was able to participate in the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, the Dove awards, concerts in Hawaii, and many events of celebration. Audrey met and had friendships, with artists, Sandy Patti, Larnelle Harris and Dino. She never dreamed she would sing, something she loved to do, travel, something she never thought she could do and proclaim God's glory throughout the world. Audrey is survived by her children: David (Audrey A) Henry of Crane Hill, AL, Sally (David) Kamprath of Rochester, NY, June Laemmel of Flat Rock, MI; eight grandchildren, Nathan Henry, Emily (Randall) Wallace, Melissa (Shane) Peacock, Karen (Alexander) Sheh, Gregory (Kelly) Kamprath and Tanner Laemmel. 8 great-grandchildren, Brayden, Britton, Sawyer, Barrett, Nicholas, Elias, Josiah and Louis. She is survived by her sister, Oma Bentley of Monroe and her family that were so close to Audrey, they were like her own, sister in laws, Marge McBee, Marilyn McBee and Yvonne McBee, many nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends. Audrey is preceded in death by her parents; husband Wantsley; five siblings: Herbert, Harry, Joel, Larry and Wilma McBee. Cremation in New York and interment at Roselawn Memorial Park have taken place in accordance with Audrey’s wishes. Her family will receive visitors from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, July 23rd at Bacarella Funeral Home in celebration of Audrey’s life. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at Monroe Alliance Church at 11 a.m. Rev. Jim Walker will officiate. For anyone wanting to make a donation in memory of Audrey, the family suggests supporting Oaks of Righteousness, 924 E. Second St., Monroe, MI 48161.

Audrey V. Henry

July 21, 1930 - March 7, 2021