Audrey and her parents moved to Roswell, New Mexico when Audrey was about 2 years old. In 1935, after learning that there were jobs available in California, Audrey, her younger sister, Nadine, and her parents moved to the Packwood School District near Visalia, CA. She attended Packwood Elementary School and Redwood High in Visalia. During her school years, she made friendships that would last a lifetime.
While in 4-H, she met the love of her life, Harry Dooley. They later married in 1944 and made a home in the Delta View School District where Harry and his parents had a small farm. They had a son, Glenn, in 1948 and a daughter, Carolyn, in 1950. Audrey was an equal partner in the farming business. She often drove the tractor, pulled cotton trailers, chopped and sprayed weeds in the fields, and many other jobs.
During World War II, Audrey and her family volunteered to watch for enemy planes at the nearby observation tower. Her father died in 1945 from encephalitis while Harry was overseas. Audrey was very proud to serve on the Mosquito Abatement Board for over 20 years and helped educate the public on the dangers of mosquitoes.
Audrey and Harry were happiest when they were in the mountains. For many years they backpacked with horses and mules into Cloud Canyon and Dead Man Canyon. Audrey enjoyed fishing for trout and didn’t mind roughing it in the beautiful back country of California. In 1980, they built a cabin near Kings Canyon Park and enjoyed sharing the beauty of the cabin with family and friends.
After her children were grown, Audrey began tracking the Costner and Dooley family histories. While on vacations, Audrey and Harry often made side trips to locate old family cemeteries and places that their families in the past had lived and worked. Their last big trip was to go to Ireland, England, and Wales. They enjoyed each fabulous day and met many new friends.
Audrey is survived by her son, Glenn, wife Sherry, grandson Gary, wife Jessica, great grandsons Owen and Shane, grandson Ryan, wife Agnes Kepenyes, great granddaughters Anna, Abigel, and Eva, daughter Carolyn, husband Bill, and grandson Sam Ransdell. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Dick Dooley, wife Do, and many other family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Wounded Warriors or any charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with graveside services beginning at 11 a.m. at the Visalia Public Cemetery.
Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA (559) 732-8371.
