Audrey Jeanine De La Bruere

1930 - 2021

Audrey Jeanine De La Bruere
Born: December 13, 1930 in Meredosia, IL
Died: October 22, 2021 in Elgin, IL
Audrey Jeanine De La Bruere (nee Davis) of South Elgin, IL passed away peacefully on October 22, 2021 in Elgin, IL. Services will be held at Laird Funeral Home in Elgin, IL on November 6, 2021 from 3:00PM to 5:00PM, with a private interment at Memory Gardens in Arlington Heights at a later date. Audrey was born December 13, 1930 in Meredosia, IL to Minnie (nee Gaddis) and Russell Davis. Audrey grew up in Springfield, IL and graduated from Springfield High School in 1948. After two years at Illinois State University, Audrey joined the US Navy as part of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) program. During her training at the Great Lakes Naval Station Audrey was filmed, with dozens of others female recruits, for a movie called "Skirts Ahoy". It was in the Navy, while stationed at Norfolk VA, that Audrey met and married Ernest Rene De La Bruere. They were married in 1952 and remained married for 55 years, until Ernest passed in 2007. Audrey returned to Illinois State University after her naval discharge and completed her studies. She then enjoyed a long career teaching elementary age students. Audrey lived in Arlington Heights IL for over 40 years prior to moving to an assisted living facility in South Elgin, IL in 2013. Audrey enjoyed traveling, bingo, and doing various crafts (she was affectionally known as 'The Pillow Queen' for crafting and donating hundreds of pillows). Audrey was preceded in death by her husband Ernest and her daughter Deborah. She is survived by children Dave (Pam), Scott (Sue) and Kevin (Amy), and her sister, Helen Diercouff. She is also survived by grandchildren Jamey Johnson, Holly Wett, Matthew (Renee) De La Bruere, Sara (Derrick) Mette, Cote Butler, Chelsea Butler, Emma De La Bruere, Blake De La Bruere, Reagan De La Bruere, Bradley (Sharrice) Aleshire, Jacob (formerly known as Paige) De La Bruere, Josh De La Bruere, and Alex De La Bruere, as well as 14 great-grandchildren. Audrey is also survived by her close friend and very best buddy, Evelyn Aleshire. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Attn: Development 875 N. Randolph St. Ste 225 Arlington, VA 22203 or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) - Financial Assistance, Interest-Free Loans & Scholarships