Audrey Elizabeth Meehan

Audrey Elizabeth (Willgoos) Meehan, 100, died Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at home surrounded by her family in Steele, AL. A private memorial service will be held following cremation by Morgan Funeral Chapel.

Mrs. Meehan was preceded in death by her parents William A. Willgoos and Henrietta W. Willgoos, her sister Lorraine (Edith) Willgoos, her husband Robert A. Meehan, and son-in-law John T. Oakes. She is survived by her son William A. Meehan (Beth), daughter Carol M. Oakes, four grandchildren: Jonathan Oakes (Abbigail), Andrew Meehan (Allison), Arthur Meehan (Caroline), and Carol Grace Meehan, and one great granddaughter Adalyn Mabree Oakes.

Growing up in a family deeply connected to early 20th Century aviation, Audrey had wonderful memories. Among them were many flights in open cockpits with her father and his biplane over fields by their Connecticut home. Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart were among early aviators visiting her home. One of her favorite memories was of Lindbergh reading to her the story of “The Little Red Hen.”

Always an equestrian and lover of horses she was an accomplished rider winning Eastern States Champion in Saddlebred competition at Madison Square Garden before she was twenty-one. She continued to ride Hunter-jumpers through her 70’s.

After graduating from Mary Burnham (now Stoneleigh-Burnham) and admitted to Smith College, she chose instead to help the war effort by working for Pratt & Whitney helping produce aircraft engines. After victory in World War II, she married her high school heartthrob, upon his return from Army service. Moving with him to Texas and Alabama where she retired from a banking career with First National Bank of Birmingham, AmSouth Bank and Regions Bank. Living on her farm in St. Clair County she finally had room for her horses, dogs, and cats. All well-loved and well-kept.

Living, loving life, and family were her heart’s delight. The family request that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to a charity of choice.