Audrey Williamson

Audrey Williamson was a kind and gentle woman, who lived a devoted life, a lady small in stature but strong of heart. She was a loving wife and mother, respected and loved by many. She was also a gifted seamstress and musician. Audrey's life began in Muskegon, Michigan where many of her extended family resided. The Great Depression altered the lifestyles of many. There were plenty of changes in 1928, especially for Peter and Winnie (Amidon) Olthoff, who welcomed a beautiful baby girl on October 13, a daughter they named Audrey. Audrey joined her brother Roy, five years her senior, on the family's farm in Hesperia, where her father raised crops to sell to the Gerber Baby Food factory in Fremont nearby. Growing up on the farm, particularly in the tough times of the Depression, everyone was expected to help out, even little Audrey, who diligently picked beans in the fields. She also learned volumes about growing flowers which lasted for her life. Audrey was definitely "Daddy's Girl" as a child, and her father lovingly called his little girl "Peanut." She loved to follow him around the farm, go fishing with him, or just sit and listen to the baseball game on the radio on warm summer days. Audrey was small in size, and never grew past 4-foot-11, but what she lacked in height she more than made up for in intellect and heart. She graduated as Salutatorian of her Hesperia High School class of 1946. After she graduated, Audrey went to work in the accounting department at Gerber in Fremont, just 12 miles away. There she met a handsome young man named Harold Williamson, who worked in data processing. Harold used to go to breakfast with a group of the office girls there, including Audrey. They jokingly referred to this group as "Harold and his Harem." Eventually, though, Harold and Audrey began dating and during a two-year courtship, they fell in love, and were married in Hesperia on April 25, 1951. The newlyweds settled in Fremont, and Audrey quit working for Gerber to start a family life. Soon they would experience parenthood! Linda was born at Gerber Hospital and Audrey was content to become a homemaker and mother. After a couple years, Harold took a new job at Clark Floor Machine in Muskegon, so the family packed up and headed west to the shoreline, settling in North Muskegon. There they welcomed their second child, daughter Sue Ann, in 1958. Their son Alan was born in 1963, though sadly, he died of a heart defect at just two days old. Audrey supplied her family with plenty of love, support, and of course, clothes! She was a brilliant seamstress, and made many clothes for everyone. She was also known for making many beautiful square dance dresses, as well as creative Halloween costumes for the whole family. Harold was very involved in the Shriners, and Audrey went with him to all the functions, even making her own formal dresses for the events. In the 60's, daughter Sue Ann became a Maycroft Square Tapper, and Audrey generously offered to head the costume committee and designed costumes for the group. She supported her kids' activities, and loyally traveled with the group to many performances around the US. Audrey and Harold enjoyed their own dancing, as well, and were members of the Merry Mixers Square Dance Club. Audrey and Harold were active members of Orchard View Congregational Church where Audrey sang in the choir, and she also participated in the Daughters of the Nile. They also enjoyed many wonderful camping trips, taking their prized Airstream trailer with them. They loved that Airstream, and even organized Airstream rallies. Audrey would have the trailer all packed and ready to go when Harold got home from work on Fridays, and they'd head off to various campsites around Michigan. One of their favorite places was the charming Northern Michigan arts community of Interlochen, They often camped close to the Fine Arts Camp there, and attended the concerts and events. Eventually they became part owners of the Holiday Park Campground, just five miles from Interlochen. They kept a trailer there for many years, and lived there in the summertime well into their retirement years. In 1984 Audrey's first grandchild, Jon, was born and Audrey was dealt a difficult blow with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Harold retired in 1987, when Clark Floor Machine closed, and the couple began looking around the country for their retirement destination. They decided on Tucson, Arizona, where the arid climate would help Audrey's condition. They lived in a retirement community there called Rincon West RV Resort, which they enjoyed in the winter, and returned to the Traverse City area in the summer. Little by little, the disease slowly took a hold of Audrey, and she had to stop doing the things she loved. At Rincon she sang in the choir and square danced until her arthritis pain was too severe. She battled bravely, and had foot restoration surgery to help keep her mobile. She remained as smart and as sharp as ever, and kept her trademark sense of humor and sweet smile. In 2003, the couple moved to Grand Rapids to be close to Sue Ann for support. Later that year, Audrey fell and broke her hip. Though she recovered, she required more care. With Harold battling his own health troubles, decisions had to be made for her well-being; Harold and Sue found the Christian Rest Home on the Northwest side and she resided there contentedly in January 2005. Harold came daily to visit and she was eating better and regaining some weight and some strength. She also enjoyed getting her hair done there each week, and the nurses always commented on her beautiful skin. CRH provided many musical programs that encouraged her to use her beautiful voice. Peacefully Audrey passed away on Monday, March 26, 2007, at the age of 78. Audrey loved life, loved God and loved her family. Surviving are her husband, Harold; 2 daughters, Linda Williamson of Camden, SC, Sue Ann (Lucio) Moreno of Grand Rapids; 3 grandchildren, Jon Williamson, Emiliano Moreno & Lucia Moreno. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Alan in 1963 and her brother, Roy Olthoff. Services are Friday, March 30, 2007, 11:00 AM at Standale Baptist Church with Dr. John Watson officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: Christian Rest Home or Standale Baptist Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Audrey, or to sign the online guest book.