Audrey Cripe (Gonzalez)
Audrey Cripe, beloved mother and grandmother
was united with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 11, 2010
Audrey believed that a life well lived was
one of service to others. Audrey lived her life tirelessly giving to
others including her family, friends, patients, church and
community.
The daughter of Roy and Matilda Cripe,
Audrey was born March 25, 1920 in Whitefish, MT. A graduate of
Whitefish High School Class of 1938, she received her Bachelor of
Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Portland in 1943.
Audrey had an exciting and fulfilling career
as a Registered Nurse lasting over 50 years.
Audrey served as a Captain in the US Army
Nurse Corp and was stationed in Frankfurt Germany and in France.
Between 1972-1975, Audrey worked as a
civilian elementary school nurse for the US Department of Defense
dependent schools in Kitzingen Germany and at Kadena Air Force Base
in Okinawa, Japan. During this time, she shared her love of travel
with her daughter Anne.
Audrey served as the Nurse Coordinator for
the Flathead City-County Health Department from 1975-1980. During
her tenure, she secured funding for and implemented a number of
social service and health programs to aid children, women, elderly
and the poor.
Audrey took great interest and pride in her
community and served on a number of boards and committees in
Flathead County including the Economic Development Board, Flathead
Valley Community College Human Services Board and numerous others.
Audrey was an active member of the St.
Charles Catholic Parish in Whitefish and later a member of Holy
Rosary Parish in Billings. Special thanks go out to those who made
it possible for Audrey to participate in Holy Communion and the life
of the church when she could no longer leave home.
Audrey readily shared her belief and faith
in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and his victory over sin and death
by His death on the cross and resurrection. She is responsible for
bringing her family and countless others to Christ by her witness
and example.
Audrey loved and served her family without
ceasing-THANK YOU!
She loved to travel and traveled extensively
in Europe and Asia. She found beauty and solace in nature and loved
the companionship provided by animals. Audrey was especially fond
of anything having to do with her beloved Whitefish and Flathead
Valley!
Audrey was preceded in death by her parents,
Roy and Matilda Cripe, brother, Charles William (Bill) Cripe , and
sister, June Cripe Harper.
Survivors include her daughter-Anne Gonzalez
Lewis (husband Ted), granddaughter, Grace Brekhus, great grandson,
Kai Brekhus, sister-in-law, Joan Cripe, and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Heartfelt thanks go out to: Billings Clinic
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) for providing
outstanding care and enabling Audrey to
realize her wish to live her entire life in the community rather
than a nursing home, and to Forrest Ridge Assisted Living for their
compassionate and loving care which was always delivered with
smiles, humor and dignity.
Audrey's life was an example of Faith, Hope
and Love. We love you-FOREVER.
Memorials may be made to: Billings Clinic PACE, 3155 Avenue C, Billings, MT 59102
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