October 24, 2013
McKibben, Audrey J.
Audrey Jean (Mitchell) McKibben, a resident of Hingham for the past three years, but formerly a lifelong Dedham resident, died Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at her home in Hingham. She was 84. Audrey was born March 8, 1929 in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Robert and Roberta (MacLeod) Mitchell. She grew up in Dedham and graduated from Dedham High School and LaSalle Junior College. Audrey worked at the Dedham Women’s Exchange, as an art teacher at the Dedham Country Day School, and as a stewardess for Northeast Airlines. She was active in the Campfire Girls and the Girl Scouts; she was a founder of the Dedham Garden Club, and active at the Dedham Community House, the afternoon club and the Fairbanks Garden Club of Dedham. She volunteered at the Children’s Museum, Animal Rescue league of Boston, Meals on Wheels and she was an active, involved member of the Allin Congregational Church where she served as a Diaconate. Besides her interest in Sewing, Bridge and Music she adds the hobbies of Gardening and Cooking, in both of which she was outstanding. But most of all she was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who had a very kind and gentle soul with a loving and generous heart always putting others before her. Audrey was the sister of the late Robert Mitchell. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, William Adams McKibben; her four daughters, Robin McKibben of Encino, California, Donna McKibben Cutler of Acton, Heather Jean McKibben of Norton, and Lorna Cogan of Hull; and her seven grandchildren. She is also survived by many loving cousins in the United States and Scotland.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service, Saturday, November 9th, 2013 at 11 AM at the Allin Congregational Church in Dedham, with a reception to follow. Private interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellesley. In lieu of flowers donations to the Allin Church Architectural Renovation Committee (Allin ARC), 683 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026 would be appreciated. The McKibbens give the Celtic Angels their greatest gratitude for the undeniable bond they made with Audrey over the last year
Comments(17)
We all feel the loss. When you become so close to a family over many years, the loss of a Loved one is felt by many.
McKibben family: so sorry for your loss. My memories of Audrey were sweetness and a gentle soul. I remember Lorna and I sitting in the kitchen at Highland Street, after a night out of questionable behavior!!! Audrey would come downstairs and would ask if we had fun. We would always try to act “normal”, but I knew, deep down, she knew exactly what we had been doing!! She would just smile sweetly and say “Goodnight girls, see you in the morning” and go back upstairs.
She was truly a classy, graceful woman. Godspeed, Audrey.
Heather and family-
I am deeply sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom, Wife, Grandmother, Aunt and friend. I know Audrey was a wonderful, special person and will be missed by many. She is no doubt looking down, smiling and so very proud of her family. My thoughts and prayers are with Audrey and your family.
Bill McKibben: Sorry to learn of your dear wife Audrey’s passing. May our thoughts and prayers be with you and your family. (classmate 1942, Naval Aviator WWII.
Bill,
My condolences on the loss of Audrey. She was a lovely person and always a delight to be with. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her (and you too) when she’d visit the Dedham Historical Society.
Ron Frazier
Former Director
Our deepest sympathy to the McKibben family on the death of Audrey. We never had the pleasure of meeting Audrey but she must indeed have been a wonderful Mum to produce such outstanding daughters in Lorna & Donna. We know you will all miss Audrey terrible but she is at peace. God is good & we are sure he is taking good care of her in his heavenly home.From your Irish friends.
So sorry for loss. May your loving memories keep your mother close to you always.
My memories of Mrs. Mckibben, as I always called her,
Are a few but always with a smile. Like when Lindsay
And I went to pick up the rabbit hutch and right
Away she took Lindsay under her wing and brought
A smile to Lindsay’s face, with whatever they were doing
While Mr. Mckibben and I loaded the rabbit hutch..
And how much she seemed to enjoy heatherfest with
Her family….you will truly be missed by so so many
But never forgotten
What a loving tribute. I never had the honor of meeting Audrey, but I share in your loss. The true measure of a person is told in how much they will be missed.
Lorna, Heather and family sorry for your loss.
We are so sorry for the loss of your Wife, Mother, friend, Grandmother , Aunt and all the people who love Mrs McKibben. We are grateful for Audrey and hope you will find comfort in this m,ost difficult time.
Dear Lorna: I am so sorry for your loss. I could tell that you had a special bond with your mother.
God bless. Kathleen, Miles and Devon
Audrey McKibben gave so much to Allin Church and her friends there: Summer flowers in the sanctuary, a new color scheme for the fireside room and wonderful lavender sachets for the annual fair. I loved visiting her as she shared her treasures from Provence, new stories about the dog, and the beauty of her gardens. Love and prayers to you, her loved ones.
Dear Bill and girls
Audrey was a very special cousin who because of her grace and charm, even when she was unwell, made one feel privileged to know her. She will always be much loved by my family and myself. Thanks for the memories Audrey.
I have fond memories of Audrey back in the 60s
on Highland Avenue. With sympathy to her family
especially Robin. My Ellen who was Robin’s age
and friend lives in Chiloquin Oregon Anne
A little anecdote about my Aunt Audrey: she was my primary inspiration for my own needlework and all things craft and handmade. She had superb skills in many areas, was a perfectionist, and designed and created many beautiful items–not just following a pattern, but really creating them. She made many things of exquisite beauty.
One time she knit a Shetland Lace Wedding Ring Shawl. It is called this because when completed, even though it can be six feet in diameter, it is so delicate that one can pull it through a wedding ring. Her shawl was a foamy, delicate, gorgeous shawl that took many months to make, made with Shetland yarn that could only be found in a particular place on the Shetland Isles. She was rightfully proud of it. And as she showed it to me, I jokingly asked her if she could pull it through her own wedding ring.
She immediately took off her ring, and proceeded to try pulling it through. I was so afraid that the shawl would be torn, I could hardly stand to watch. I was sick that I had brought the subject up. Well–she pulled and coaxed and yanked and shoved that shawl, and by God if she didn’t get it through. She gained my deepest respect with that gutsy and funny and stubborn act. We both howled with laughter. I really loved it and I will never forget it.
With her going, so much goes with her.
My lasting memory of Audrey will watching her from the balcony of the loft while she carefully tended her lavender. She always made me feel as though I was a special cousin and I will miss her so much.