Audrey F. Garber
Audrey F. Garber, 93, died peacefully Thursday, September 25, 2014 in Sterling Village, Sterling, with family at her side, after a brief illness.
She is survived by her loving sister, Betty E. Follansbee, wife of the late Robert, of Hubbardston, formerly of Lancaster; her sister-in-law, Sarah Garber, of Marietta, GA, formerly of Lancaster; 11 nieces and nephews: Robert Follansbee, Jr., Bradford Follansbee, Deborah Blaisdell, Scott Follansbee, Diane Goguen, Penny Sullivan, Justin Follansbee, Kenneth Garber, Jr., Karen Bruck, Pamela Leach, and Todd Garber; many great-nieces, great-nephews, and their families. She was predeceased by her brother, Kenneth S. Garber, who died on July 2, 2014, and her nephews, David and Keith Follansbee.
Audrey was born and raised in Clinton, daughter of Aubrey S. and Evelyn L. (Towsley) Garber. A graduate of Clinton High School, and the former Fay Secretarial School, Boston, Audrey was employed by companies in Boston and New York before answering the call to serve her country during WWII, first working for the US Air Force as a civilian, and then enlisting with the US Navy on March 24, 1945. A Seaman First Class, Audrey served as a Naval Airline Stewardess, and in doing so, became enamored with travel and international experience, which lead to a spirited and extraordinary life outside of the small mill town in which she was rooted and raised.
After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, she embarked on new adventures overseas, working for various companies, includingthe Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO) in Saudi Arabia, an architectural firm in Libya, and an engineering firm in their Djakarta, Indonesia and Taipei, Taiwan, locations. Eventually, her international skills and experience led her to a career with the US State Department, as a secretary to the Consul General. In the required rotational staffing of Embassy operations, Audrey worked in British Guyana, South America; Valencia, Spain; Geneva, Switzerland; Guayaquil, Ecuador; Brussels, Belgium; Ottawa, Canada; Ciudad, Mexico; and Bridgetown, Barbados.
Following a remarkable life of incredible adventure, and dedicated service to her country, Audrey retired to Dunedin, FL in 1981 and then home to Central Massachusetts in the late1980's, to care for her elderly mother and reunite with her family. Her warm, welcoming smile, captivating tales, and vibrant appreciation for life and her family will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by all.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in Woodlawn Cemetery, Clinton, There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Brookhaven Hospice, The Butterfly Foundation, 6 Beech St., Framingham, MA 01702. McNally & Watson Funeral Home, 304 Church St., Clinton, is directing arrangements.