Audrey Berger Welz
Audrey Berger Welz
Obituary
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Audrey Berger Welz Obituary
Audrey grew up in Akron, Ohio with her parents, Lou and Bea Berger, and her sister Laura. Audrey would have described her childhood as idyllic and always spoke of it fondly.
From an early age, her love of music and animals became evident and always remained a big part of her life. She traveled to California once she turned eighteen and stayed there for many years, participating in the thriving music scenes of Santa Cruz and Oakland. Audrey relocated to New York City in her early 30s, where she opened her own music company and immediately fell in love with the pulse of the city and the liveliness of her neighborhood.
Audrey had many achievements, too many to name. Her most fulfilling, by far, were marrying the love of her life, Gary Welz, spending time laughing and telling stories with her friends and family, and writing and publishing her novel, 'Circus of the Queens'. Making her mark in the literary world and being defined as a published author was a dream come true for her.
Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Beatrice Berger, and is survived by her husband, Gary Welz, her sister, Laura Crossland (Daniel Crossland) and her nieces and nephew, Rachel, Rebecca and Jonathan, as well as many great nieces and nephews and devoted friends whom she loved deeply. Audrey held a special place in her heart for her cats, and is survived by her beloved little Gracie, who surely misses her.
If you'd like to make a donation in honor of Audrey, please do so with The Michael J. Fox Foundation to help continue to fight against this terrible disease that has affected so many.
Audrey fully embodied optimism, growth, strength and love. She was a force.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Anina Van Alstine
October 1, 2025
Remembering Audrey on this anniversary of her passing...her presence added light and joy to so many... and her loss was enormous in our community.
Susanne Shinabery Higgins Tovsrud
May 5, 2025
I am saddened to hear that Audrey has passed. I worked with her at Pacific Garden Imports in Santa Cruz and also at The International Bazaar. Such a fun and kind woman. We shared a passion for elephants and I would listen to her sing after hours at her gigs in Santa Cruz. Even though she went on to wholesale tools and I moved to San Diego she was always in my heart and I purchased her book the minute I realized she was the author. Great friend -great woman-great memories. Susanne
Dianne Athey
February 14, 2025
Lynne Naso
December 13, 2024
Firstly, I am devastated to learn of Audrey's passing two months afterwards. Gary has had a lot to deal with, and I was just informed. He was her angel.
I was blessed to visit with Audrey at her home in NYC on a trip from my Miami Beach home, the summer before last, in 2023. She was radiant as always, even in her condition. Her spirit never changed. We talked about our adventures together over the years, and I was so happy that she remembered. We met 35 years ago at the William Morris Agency when I was a junior music agent and Audrey created commercial music for her own company, Sweet Potato Music. When the biz changed, she left music for Yoga and I started my own company, a news agency. Our adventures were at music concerts and out to the beach in Montauk. Audrey had a full beach world that I didn't get to know, as I moved away from NYC to Woodstock, then Miami. But as she wrote her book Circus of the Queen, I also wrote a book (just about to finally be published) we encouraged each other and sent galleys back and forth, thru years of that process! I went to her side in the hospital with the bust aneurysm, abut visited NYC rarely after that, just a couple visits with my beloved, beautiful, artistic and loving friend.
I will miss her forever !!!!!!!
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Laura Crossland
October 19, 2024
Audrey was my sister, and always made me laugh. She had a very infectious laugh. She had a wonderful marriage to Gary Welz. She will be missed.
Laura Crossland
October 15, 2024
I will always remember Audrey's kindness to her family and friends. She was amazing with my children. She will always be in my heart.
Dianne Athey
October 14, 2024
Audrey was a big part of my life especially over the last 30 years or so since she moved East and into my building in New York City. She was very loving and generous of spirit, had a great sense of humor, which she never lost, and loved creativity and especially music. We sang together almost every time we got together. She was a producer and loved making things happen. Audrey courageously reinvented herself over and over, so much so that I called her "Tenacious B".
I not only loved her, I admired her greatly. I´ll miss her everyday. I guess she´s somewhere chasing rainbows.
Merle R. Saferstein
October 13, 2024
I was saddened to learn of Audrey's passing. We connected during the time she was working on writing her book. Sharing that journey was a true joy.
My condolences to Gary and Laura and the rest of her loving family.
Donna Weldon-Shaak
October 11, 2024
Audrey, my loving neighbor from across the street. We grew up together and had lots of fun and adventures. Fond memories will stay with me. We used to hike through the forest, looking out for wild beasts, and pretend that the Abominable Snowman would chase us in the snow.
Laura Crossland
October 11, 2024
My first memory of Audrey is when she was born. I was four years older and very jealous of her at first. We became very close and I loved her very much. She was a wonderful sister and aunt to my children. Her husband Gary was fabulous, and they had a happy marriage. I will miss my sister terribly.
Laura Crossland
October 10, 2024
Audrey was my sister. We shared many special moments. I will always remember my sister's love for me and my family. She loved my children dearly. Audrey was a very special person.
Amy Cook
October 10, 2024
We shared a birthday and several weekends at a beach house on Fire Island. I remember many lovely conversations and will remember her fondly.
Loree Gold
October 9, 2024
I am so heartbroken to hear of Audrey´s passing. She was a dear childhood friend to me & was one of the most loving & kindest & talented people on the planet. I called her "Booger" ever since we were kids & later when we reconnected in adulthood. It was a term of endearment that she always answered to & we laughed about.
So many wonderful memories...music, animals, family, & tons of fun.
My deepest condolences to Gary, Laura and family.
June Siegel
October 9, 2024
I only had contact with Audrey a few times in the last few years. We met in grade school, but I have a favorite high school memory. At one point, we would meet at a local restaurant in the evenings to chat. Audrey always ordered an ice cream sundae, and I would get tea and toast. Sharing on a personal level. A moment in time.
Ellen Zipper Sands
October 9, 2024
We had the greatest trip to Washington DC. She always reminded me many years later about a comment I made about the White House. She will be missed by the many people that loved her. RIP dear friend.
isabelle baginski
October 8, 2024
I am so sad. Audrey is a long-time friend. We lived together in california. When I arrived, she tought my english accent was bed so she made me reda and repeat every day and I taught her french. She was gifted. She had a mangificent voice, a natural cheerfulness, so much laughter together. she came in france and we had a great time. She was a wonderful woman and I'll miss her a lot.
Laura Berger Crossland
October 8, 2024
My first memory of Audrey was when she was born´. She was always so sweet and caring´. Audrey was very talented in her love for art and music´. She was. Very happily married to Gary Welz living in New York She will be missed,
Wendy Strachan Knauss
October 8, 2024
I have such fond memories going to Audrey´s when I was young going to her house playing in the afternoons or Lou, her father, would play the piano for us and we would sing and dance. We had so much fun! As we got older all the neighbors would gather at her house and we would play kickball in her backyard. She and her family were always so very kind to all of us. She will be missed.
Harriet Stern Weinglass
October 7, 2024
My first memory of Audrey was carpooling to Temple Israel for many years of religious school. I still have several pictures of her from those years from the kindergarden (Consecration), 8th grade (B'nai Mitzvah), 10th grade (Confirmation) and 12th grade (religious high school). I reconnected with her briefly in NYC when I visited her a couple of times. She was always smiling and I know she will be missed by her husband, sister, her friend Andrea Allison from Akron, and dear friend Diane Athey, who was not only her friend from Akron but lived in the same apartment complex in NYC and maintained a close friendship and looked out for her as her health failed.
Debbie Frost
October 7, 2024
I remember Audrey from the Jewish community in Akron. My memories of that time are not all clear. My father died when I was in high school and I finish H.S. in CA. I remember she was always kind to me. All good memories of her and her wavy blond hair.
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