Obituary of Audrey Counselman Quackenbush

Audrey Counselman Quackenbush, 88, of Freehold passed away peacefully into God’s loving and eternal care on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at The Manor, Freehold Township. She was born in White City, Florida to Clifford and Victoria Counselman. After graduating from St. Lucie High School in 1937 she moved to New Jersey to attend nursing school and graduated from Monmouth Memorial Hospital, Long Branch (now Monmouth Medical Center) in 1940. This is where in 1941 she met and married her husband of 33 years Albert Quackenbush. Together they made Freehold their permanent residence; literally, the two actually built it themselves. For 47 years she worked as a registered nurse, starting in 1941 at Monmouth Memorial Hospital along with private duty, and then retiring from the medical staff at Freehold Raceway in 1989. Audrey lived a full and active life as an avid gardener, talented seamstress, tailor, and baker. She was a very devoted member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Freehold. For many years as one of “The Women of St. Peter’s” she would grow, arrange, and provide flowers for the altar, work as a volunteer in the church’s thrift shop, bake goods, and make jams and jellies, along with hand sewn and knitted crafts for bazaars and fairs. In younger years she enjoyed boating and fishing with her husband and son. While fishing with the big boys she would often end up with her photograph in the newspaper for catching “The Largest Fish”. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Albert Quackenbush in 1974, a son, William Benjamin Quackenbush in 1946, and a sister Laura Lyra in 2003. She is survived by her son, Robert Quackenbush and his wife Arlene, Millstone Township; a brother, James Counselman and his wife, Marion, Otto, N.C.; and a niece, Robin Siano and her husband, Jay, Lambertville. The Burial Office and Holy Eucharist will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at St. Peter’s Church, Freehold. The interment will follow at Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent. A repast to celebrate Audrey’s life will be held in the St. Peter’s Parish House at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Peter’s Memorial Fund, 33Throckmorton Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 would be appreciated. Arrangements are under the direction of the Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold.