Audrey Bridger

1927 - 2021

Audrey Bridger
April 20, 1927 - March 4, 2021
Resident of San Jose, CA
Audrey Bridger (nee Whymark) passed peacefully in her sleep on March 4, in the home of her sole surviving family member, Alison. Born in St. Leonards, England, she could rightly say she "had a good innings". As a child born to poor parents, she suffered hunger in the Great Depression. Later, she suffered – as did so many of her generation – during the six long years of WW2. She could recite the names of young men she'd known who'd gone off to war and not returned. Living on the Sussex coast, she watched dogfights over the Channel, and waves of bombers heading in both directions. She saw the skies full of aircraft on D-Day. Early in the war, her family was evacuated away from the expected invasion, but Audrey's mother soon brought the family home. Rationing and "making do" became a way of life that remained until her dying day.
After the war, and having booked passage to emigrate to Canada, she met Anthony Bridger (died, 1994). She canceled her trip and they married. Their firstborn child (a son) was stillborn. Their third child (Rosemary) died of leukemia in her teens. Their second child (Alison) survives and looked after Audrey for her last five years.
Despite these hard early years, Audrey lived a life few would have imagined in the 1920s. She travelled annually, to the USA, Canada, Hawaii, and around Europe. In the early years this involved camping to stretch pennies. Later, she was able to stay in more luxurious accommodations. In the 1980s, she and Anthony retired to the Costa Blanca coast of Spain, where Audrey lived for over 30 years. A country villa with a pool in a distant land is also something she could never have imagined in the 1920s. She developed a love of bridge, and spent many happy times with friends at the Javea Bridge Club, all of whom she fondly remembered after she had moved to San Jose, CA.
Her brother (Eric) and husband, both veterans of WW2, preceded her in death, as did her sister (Muriel Joy). She is survived by Alison and her wife (Pamela), grandson (Andrew), nephew (Nigel), distant relatives in England and Australia, and in-laws in California and Texas. Her health remained good till the end. Her fervent wish was to die in her sleep.
In her final months, she enjoyed the company of kittens Ella and Jake, and dogs Buddy and Ginny. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Audrey's name to the Humane Society Silicon Valley.


View the online memorial for Audrey Bridger