Audrey Bray

Audrey J. Venezia Bray, 69, passed away peacefully at home July 20, 2016 from complications related to rheumatoid arthritis. She is survived by her loving family: husband, Kenneth W. Bray; son, David K. Bray; sister, Shirley Venezia Allen; brother-in-law, Tom Bray; sister-in-law, Judy Bray; eight nieces and nephews, 12 great nieces and nephews, one great-great nephew; and many friends. She was pre-deceased by her mother and father, John and Anna Venezia and her brothers John and Bill Venezia. Audrey lived with her husband and son on a small horse farm in Seminole they built together in 1979. She was born in Teaneck, NJ and moved to Largo in 1955. She graduated from Largo High School, where she lettered in track, played tennis and softball, and met her future husband, Kenny–who is still grateful he won a $5 bet when she agreed to be his date at their Junior Prom. A life-long horsewoman, Audrey began her equestrian career aboard her first pony, Buttons and Bows, and later astride her beloved Thoroughbreds, Clay Hill and Jamaica Jake. Clay Hill was purchased with funds raised at a charity PCHA horse show after Buttons escaped from the old Largo Fair Grounds and was struck by a car. She and her horses won many riding awards, including the Florida Amateur Owner Hunter Championship. Audrey was a member of the Pinellas County Horseman’s Association (PCHA), the Central Florida Hunter Jumper Association (CFHJA) and the American Horse Shows Association (AHSA), for which she was also a certified judge at shows throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In her later years, she trained dozens of students and their horses to compete successfully in both hunter-jumper and dressage competitions. She and her red Corvette were once active members of the Bay Area Corvette Club and she was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Largo. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Sat., Aug. 6, 2016 at Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo, FL 33774. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either the Arthritis Foundation (http://www.arthritis.org/) or Suncoast Hospice (http://www.suncoasthospice.org). Serenity Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.