Audrey Walsh

1933 - 2025

Audrey Walsh
Born: February 16, 1933 in Chicago, IL
Died: July 9, 2025 in Marengo, IL
Audrey I. Walsh, 92, of Marengo, formerly of Carpentersville and Chicago, passed away on Wed., July 9, 2025. She was born in Chicago to Oscar and Caroline (nee Kurzer) Stephan on Thurs., Feb. 16, 1933.
Audrey married Leon Walsh Aug. 7, 1954. She was a loving wife and a supportive mother. They were sweethearts before he joined the Marines and shipped off to the war in Korea. They waited four long years to wed and start a family. Before moving to Marengo and joining Sacred Heart Parish, she was an active member of St. Monica's Parish in Carpentersville for 47 years. As a member of the Ladies Sodality, she planned and supported church fund raising activities including: church bazaars, spaghetti dinners, casino nights and parish dances. She also volunteered as the CCD secretary. A mother of five, her working career began as den mother, room mother, surrogate mother, eventually becoming the neighborhood grandmother. She also served as the office secretary for Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee for 20 years. She had the heart of a caregiver and thrived on taking care of those in need. Bringing her smile and motherly support, she brought joy to those around her. Audrey enjoyed traveling with her family, teaching as they traveled across the country to their next campsite. From a tent to a pop-up trailer, then a Winnebago motorhome, vacations took us to 30 states, Canada and countless historical sites. She valued her family and visiting with friends. Family members memorable moments include camping trips at KOA's, graduating from pop-up to Winnebago, being driven to high school practices and events by Mom, her love of dogs, a motorcycle ride to Wisconsin and taking care of Grandma "Suzie," her mother who passed just a month shy of her 103rd birthday. Audrey is survived by her, sons: Christopher Walsh, Craig (Pam) Walsh, Kevin (Jenifer) Walsh, Corey Walsh, and her daughter, Karen (Larry) Rokusek. Her grandchildren, Matthew and Daniel Rokusek, Jessica (Justin) Clarke, Johnathan (Sarah), Bryan (Sixtine), Brandon (Kelsee), Andrew, David (Elizabeth), Austin, and Jared (Brionna) Walsh, Ashley (Yousuf) Alawneh, Steve (Monica), Eric (Amber), and William Corey, 10 great grandchildren (and counting). Audrey also leaves behind four generations of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 62 years, her cousin Patricia (nee Stephan) Chapman and grandson Alex Walsh. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on July 19, 2025 in the KC breakfast hall – Sacred Heart Church, 323 N. Taylor St., Marengo, IL - followed by a Memorial Mass at 12 p.m. Her deep love of animals was well known. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ASPCA.