Audrey E. Bielinski

Audrey Bielinski took on life with a kind of zeal and enthusiasm that is rare. When faced with everyday life, she was first and foremost a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, but also an elegant, educated, talented, and independent woman. Even when faced with adversity, Audrey's positive and upbeat attitude shaped her character. Although she lived in a world where very few things are permanent, she knew of two things that she could always count on: God's love and family, and she remained devoted to both throughout her life. Audrey came into this world on May 24, 1913 as the first and only child of Leigh and Nellie Wilcox. Like so many men of his time Leigh worked in a foundry, paying for the prosperity of a newly industrialized nation with the sweat off of his back. Aside from taking care of Audrey and their home, Nellie also worked as a seamstress to help make ends meet. For the young family living in downtown Muskegon, Michigan , the money wasn't always there, but by pulling together, they got by. If times were tough Audrey didn't know it because she was always surrounded by the love and warmth of family and friends. Audrey began her education at Nims Elementary School in Muskegon, and continued on to Muskegon High School . However, school wasn't enough to keep this lively girl busy. She joined the Girls Scouts and, as an active member of the First Congregational Church of Muskegon, her churches' youth group. It was also during this time that she found her passion. The game of bridge was something she loved so much that it would be with her for the rest of her life. Somewhere between all of this, Audrey also found time to date. She and her steady boyfriend, Vic Bielinski, were having a great time together. They attended dances and beach parties, and, perhaps at Audrey's request, made plenty of time to play cards. The excitement of Audrey's last year in high school would be overshadowed by a very painful time that would remain with her for the rest of her life. That was the year her father, Leigh, fell ill and passed away. Audrey went on and graduated from Muskegon High in 1931, but the memories she had of that time in her life would always belong to her father. In the years that followed, Audrey would spend a lot of time with her mother, even learning the skill that had helped the family out so many times over the years. Like her mother, she too would become a very accomplished seamstress, but this wouldn't be where her education ended. After high school graduation, Audrey attended Muskegon Junior College for two years. She had since parted ways with her high school sweetheart Vic, but a new college romance was just beginning. While at Muskegon Junior College , a young man by the name of Bill Fechner caught Audrey's eye and she was instantly smitten with him. For three years the couple carried on their whirlwind romance until finally, in 1936, they were wed at the First Congregational Church of Muskegon. After the wedding they took up residence for a short time in a modest duplex in the Lakeside area of Muskegon , but soon moved across town and became the proud owners of a home at 406 Houston Avenue . At the time, Audrey was working at Muskegon Automotive Company, while Bill worked at Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. Audrey's mother joined the couple in their new home, and the help couldn't have come at a better time. On February 7, 1940, Audrey and Bill welcomed their first child, a daughter they named Marjorie Leigh. Life was good for the young family, and they never ceased to celebrate their joy with family, friends, and neighbors. In 1945, Audrey was dropping off Marge at Kindergarten, and preparing for the birth of the couples second child. On april 17, Catherine Ann was born, making the family at once complete. With the addition of Cathy, the family found themselves in need of more space, and made their final move to 806 Mills Avenue in North Muskegon . Around the same time, Audrey also made a career move and began working as a saleswoman at Hardy Herpolsheimers department store in downtown Muskegon . With both girls in school, Audrey and Bill had some spare time to do things they enjoyed like playing golf at the Muskegon Country Club. A very energetic Audrey was also involved in the Greater Muskegon Service League, Zonta, and the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Before long, both of Audrey's girls had graduated from high school, Marge in 1958 and Cathy in 1963. The same year Cathy graduated, tragedy struck again for Audrey and her family. In December, her loving husband Bill passed away at the young age of 49, ending a very blessed 25 years of marriage for the couple. Audrey, once again coping with the loss of someone so close to her, made a change in her life and went to work part time for her friends Hazel and Stan, at Whittaker Electric. Although many years would pass, a second chance at love was just around the corner. After fourteen years on her own, Audrey found herself back in the same place she was so many years ago, in the arms of her high school sweetheart Vic. It did not take long for the two of them to make it official, taking their vows at the First Congregational Church of Muskegon in 1978. Audrey and Vic picked things right up in their golden years, only this time in a much grander fashion. Following retirement, the couple boarded a plane, passport in hand, and took off to see the world. In their 24 years of marriage, the couple traveled to 70 countries, some more than once, and visited all 50 states. This time they would not part ways until Vic's passing in 2002 at the age of 90. Following the death of her husband, Audrey was not only able to carry on, but also move forward. She continued on with the same high level of community involvement that she had maintained throughout most of her life and never let go of her independence. In Audrey's case, it was true that age is only a number. Until the end of her life, she remained the vivacious and enthusiastic woman that had earned her the love of all the people in her life, and, with her passing, the fond memories of all who knew her. Audrey Bielinski passed away on February 28, 2006. She is survived by her two daughters: Marge (Fred) VanTatenhove of Texas, and Cathy (Mike) Saunders of North Muskegon; six grandchildren: Bill, Suzie, Jeff, Kristi, Melissa, and Stacey; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, William Fechner, and by her second husband, W. Victor Bielinski.