daughter of Roy W. and Edith A. Painter. Her father was a local builder and owned many
commercial properties in the area.
Mrs. Farnum was graduated from Gloversville High School with the class of 1935. She
graduated from Oneonta State University in New York where she earned a degree in teaching in
1938. She completed her education at the State University of New Paltz, New York, with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Her teaching career took her to Hyde Park, New York where she became a part of the Hyde
Park Central School District for more than thirty years. She was a third grade school teacher at
Violet Avenue School,and North Park Elementary School. Her late husband Madison Farnum
was also a teacher at the F.D.Roosevelt High School, teaching French, instructing in other
subjects, as well as coaching the Football team.
In 1962-1963, both Audrey and Madison, with two of their children, went to Paris, France.
Madison taught English to the french students thru an exchange program. They were able to
travel throughout Europe before they returned to Dutchess County in New York.
In 1977, Audrey retired and became a resident of Vero Beach, Florida. She has lived in the area
for forty one years. She was an avid gardener and became a member of the Rose Society.She
produced many prize winning Roses. She was a Daughter of the American Revolution, and the
Mayflower, descending from Sir Walter Scott. She was an avid reader and was a member of the
Sebastian book Club.
During her retirement years, Audrey cared for the well known, ”Grandma Bea”, Madison's mother, who also lived to be one hundred years old.
Audrey was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Vero Beach and also of Christ Episcopal
Church in Red Hook, New York
Survivors include a son, Howard R. Velie, Crossville, TN, her daughter, Anne K. Ferenz, Palm
Beach, FL, step-daughters and son-in-laws,Dianne and Gary Schroder, Myrtle Beach, SC, Janet
Pagano and Ralph Pagano,Bolivia, NC. She is also survived by her remaining sister, Kathleen
Crocetta who is ninety- six years old. Audrey leaves behind twelve grandchildren, nineteen great
grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren.
Audrey was predeceased by her beloved son John Edward Velie who passed away in 1992.
She passed peacefully in her home with her daughter, Anne Ferenz by her side.
There will be a service at the Chapel at Trinity Episcopal Church on October 29, 2018 at 2:00 PM. The address is: 2365 Pine Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida 32960.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimers Foundation are suggested.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18