WALTERS – Audrey Grace Walters December 27 1930 – November 4 2008 The Woman Who Shaped Us Audrey Grace Walters was a petite woman with an outsized passion for her children and those less fortunate than she. Not one to argue her point with logic and facts she deeply influenced her husband children grandchildren and friends through her concern for the well being of others her bubbly personality her ability to put others at ease and her strength in the face of adversity. Audrey passed away with her family on a balmy Election Day at dusk under a clear sky just as the stars began to twinkle faintly. It was a fitting end to the life of a woman whose happiness was greatly increased when her family was near and the air warm. Audrey was born in Alpena Michigan on December 27 1930 to Verna and Francis McEvoy. Francis was a ship’s cook on marine traffic that traveled the Great Lakes and Verna a homemaker. Audrey was a child during the Great Depression and her sense of economy and the simplicity of her material needs were surely formed during this period. After studies at Central Michigan University Audrey enrolled at St. Joseph’s Nursing School studying in Detroit and Ann Arbor. While at nursing school Audrey formed close bonds with many of her classmates and developed friendships that would last her lifetime. Before graduating as a registered nurse in 1954 Audrey became president of her class at St. Joseph’s and met her husband-to-be George Walters who was then a student at the University of Michigan School of Law. Audrey and George came together on a blind date in Ann Arbor that was facilitated by Audrey’s classmate Juanita Hamel and their first evening together included seeing the film La Ronde by Max Ophls and later chatting over a cup of hot chocolate. After marrying the couple lived in Adrian Colorado Springs Zirndorf Germany and Ludington settling in Grand Rapids for good in 1965. Audrey was quick to find employment as a nurse in each city she moved to with her husband but her most important and rewarding professional experience began when she joined the Godwin Heights School District as school nurse where she worked for 16 years. Next to her family her greatest love was caring for her honeys at Godwin Schools where she also provided clothing and shoes for students when needed and arranged for turkey baskets for families each Thanksgiving and Christmas. Audrey also had a personal mission to see to it that students and staff properly honored St. Patrick’s Day. She kept a large collection of St. Patrick’s Day party hats green sweaters shamrock buttons and Irish folk music that she happily donned and played whenever an opportunity arose. Audrey’s family has founded and funded the Audrey G. Walters Foundation for the Godwin School District the purpose of which is to provide health education materials and to organize lectures for the students and faculty and to provide clothing and shoes to needy students. In lieu of flowers the family kindly suggests that contributions be made to the Audrey G. Walters Foundation by contacting Ms. Shonnee Day at Fifth Third Bank 1850 East Paris Avenue S.E., Grand Rapids 49507-2716. Email shonnee.day@53.com telephone 616-771-5161. Audrey is survived by her husband George and her children Mary M. Forness-Walters (Michael), John F. Walters (Amy), Kathryn G. Geiger (Keith), all of Grand Rapids and Joseph F. Walters (Simone Schumacher) of Zurich Switzerland; by her grandchildren Anya Gervase Lovisa Walters Gripenstedt Kip Forness Kyle Forness Kelcey Geiger Liam Walters Phineas Walters; as well as by her sister Janice Connon and her son Pat. At Audrey’s request cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held at O’Brien Gerst Funeral Home at 3980 Cascade Road S.E., on November 14 2008 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Fountain Street Church on November 15 2008 at Our home feels empty without Audrey’s presence but we can sense her spirit and we know she would now want us to revel in our family’s togetherness and good fortune.
