Veritch, Audrey Ann; long-time resident of Bay Shore, Long Island and originally from Brooklyn, NY. June 16, 1935 to March 18, 2023. Beloved wife of Robert ("Bob") Veritch (deceased) for 62.5 years. Loving mother of Daniel M (Donald Maxwell) Veritch and Mary Anne S (John) Carbone. Devoted grandmother of Danielle (William) Tabri, Justin Carbone, Caitlin (Jose) Hernandez and Sydney Carbone. Adored great-grandmother of Natalie, Jacob, and Emma Tabri. She is proceeded in death by her parents John H. and Elizabeth ("Betty") Ward and sisters, Claire Kravitsky and Joan Bushong. Cherished aunt of Pamela, George, Elizabeth ("Lisa"), Monica ("Mona") and Bridget.

After Bob's passing, Audrey relocated to Potomac Falls, Virginia to live with her daughter and family. A celebration of life post cremation is in the planning. Memorial mass to be held on Monday, June 5, 2023 at St. Patrick's R.C. Church, Bay Shore, NY. Interment following mass will occur at the family grave (Corr) at St. John Cemetery, Middle Village, Queens NY. Audrey will be buried alongside her husband, Bob.

You can take the girl out of Brooklyn, but you can't take the Brooklyn out of the girl! She possessed dry humor and a sarcastic wit. Lover of the arts, Audrey found delight in her younger adult life with oil paintings, gradually shifting to pencil sketching and watercolors. She was an avid reader of "Harry Potter" and detective/mystery novels. She loved to sew clothes when younger, transitioning to quilting and crocheting over the years. As a longtime fan of the actor, Tom Selleck, she was addicted to the TV shows Magnum (original series) and Blue Bloods. A day without Tom was a day without sunshine!

As life imitates art, Audrey's story intersects with history. As a young woman, she worked as a legal assistant to William Seward's descendant (Alaskan acquisition from Russia fame). While dating her future husband, she would have the opportunity to sit in Branch Rickey's box at Ebbets Field watching the Brooklyn Dodgers play baseball. Moving to Panama after marriage, where her son was born, he was almost not baptized at St. Mary's R.C. Church because the local Panamanians were denied entry. If their friends were barred entry, her son would be baptized elsewhere. It was a contribution towards the Civil Rights movement. Audrey knew the difference between right and wrong. After her children had grown, she became a docent at Sagtikos Manor. She sewed her own historical costume and lead tours through the 1697 mansion for many years, even meeting Robert Lion Gardiner on a few occasions.

Audrey found happiness living close to the Long Island beaches. Even during winter there were frequent trips to Captree Boat Basin and/or Robert Moses State Park for coffee and a hot dog. Day trips to Fire Island were especially joyful. The salt air and sunshine provided renewed energy.

Though her challenges were many, it did not dimmish her tenacity to live as full of a life as possible. Even with crippling arthritis, she rarely complained and loved to visit and be visited.

Travels led her to many natural and historical sites during her life and she enjoyed the memories the various gift shops provided. She was a connoisseur of instant coffee and was frequently disappointed by premium brews. She loved vanilla ice cream sundaes, chocolate cake and key lime pie. There was always room for dessert!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Capital Caring Health Alder Center for Caring (www.capitalcaring.org)