It’s been a year of love and loss here on Clary Lake, two seemingly conflicting emotions which actually go hand in hand. It is with sadness that we mark the passing of yet another long time Clary Lake Association member, Audrey Relyea. I’ve spent a little time with Audrey off and on over the years. I would have liked the opportunity to get to know her better! The Relyea family over the years has played a significant role in the Association, and continues to do so. Her husband Bruce Relyea who is no longer with us was President of the Clary Lake Association in the early 2000s, and her son Steven is our current Vice President. Her granddaughter Hillary Relyea is our newest Board member. The family owns property on the South side of Clary Lake in Jefferson.
The following obituary recently appeared in the Fort Worth Star Telegram:
Audrey J. Relyea
May 28, 1928 – December 11, 2024
Fort Worth, Texas – Audrey J. Relyea passed away peacefully on December 11 at the age of 96, surrounded by her children. Audrey was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Pearl and Ralph Jennison. Audrey loved to dance and was employed at Arthur Murray as a dance instructor, played piano, clarinet and was a hand model. She attended Ohio University. A few years later, Audrey married her loving husband of 64 years, Bruce Relyea.
Their four children kept Audrey busy. Audrey took pleasure in sewing Halloween costumes, creating puzzles for car trips, driving to baseball practices, piano lessons and was an avid bridge player. When the kids were at school, she enjoyed volunteering as a docent at a local historical manor, New Neighbors and the American Diabetes Association.
She enjoyed spending summers with Bruce, their children, grandchildren and friends on their wild blueberry farm, North Forty, in Jefferson, Maine. Audrey also enjoyed sailing with Bruce on Clary Lake. Our sweet Mom was tough enough to help Dad out as a ranch hand at their Grandview ranch.
Audrey was preceded in death by her husband Bruce and their infant son, Douglas Edward. Survivors: Children, Robert Bruce Relyea (Jeraldine), Susan Relyea Pardee (Tom), Steven Jennison Relyea (Adrienne), Gregory John Relyea (June); 13 grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Star-Telegram from Dec. 14 to Dec. 22, 2024.
This post can be found on our Members No Longer With Us page.