Audrey Ann McMahon

Audrey Ann McMahon, born September 18, 1929, in Ontario, Canada, passed away on November 27, 2025, at Sunnyside Retirement Community in Rockingham County. She was 96 years old. Audrey was a cherished wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.
Audrey was born to John Sydney Chiswell and May Florence "Maisie" Nash Chiswell. She attended Fort Erie High School in Ontario, Canada (later renamed Ridgeway–Crystal Beach High School before its closing in 2017). After her parents and she immigrated to the United States, she completed her secondary education at Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Audrey excelled academically, earning honors and participating in several school organizations, including the Pep Club and French Club.
Following her high school graduation, Audrey enrolled at Lawrence College in Appleton, Wisconsin (later renamed Lawrence University). She supported herself through college by working numerous jobs while maintaining strong academic performance. During her time at Lawrence, she was also a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. Audrey graduated proudly, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree.
Audrey pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a flight attendant and worked for Northwest Airlines as both a flight attendant and a check stewardess. Her true passion, however, remained the hands-on service and connection she found as a flight attendant. It was during one of her flights, while serving coffee, that she met a passenger named Jim. Their conversation revealed that he was a United States veteran-something significant to Audrey, whose father and three brothers had all served in World War I and World War II. Audrey and Jim soon became engaged and married on August 2, 1958.
Audrey became a devoted housewife and mother as Jim pursued a career as a Foreign Service Officer. When her children were young, she spent countless hours helping them practice their spelling words, posting multiplication tables throughout the house, and encouraging them to polish their writing skills. Ever creative, she even made up a cheerful song to remind them to fasten their seat belts, and she delighted her daughters by drawing paper dolls and designing wardrobes of hand-drawn clothing for them. Most of all, Audrey supported her children in every endeavor and served as their morale booster. Together as a family, Audrey, Jim, and their children lived in several countries, including Taiwan, the Philippines, and Thailand. After their children were grown, Audrey and Jim continued their international life, living in additional postings such as Syria and Indonesia.
In her leisure time, Audrey loved to knit and created many cherished sweaters and hats for her children and grandchildren.
Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, James McMahon; her youngest daughter, Julie McMahon; and her three brothers and their spouses: Sydney (Nora) Chiswell, Douglas (Norma) Chiswell, and Earl (Molly) Chiswell.
Four of her five children survive her: Douglas McMahon, Molly McMahon, Brian McMahon and his wife, Patti, and Sheila McMahon Lamb and her husband, Mike. Her beloved grandchildren also survive her: Matthew Lamb, Eleanor Lamb, Charlie Lamb, Sydney Lamb, Max Seemiller, and Penny Seemiller.
Burial will be held privately and at a later date.