Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Friend, Audrey Margaret Phinney, after living 105 amazing years, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Born July 27, 1920, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, her family moved to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in 1923.
Returning to Hamilton in 1934 to attend the High School of Commerce, she received an education in business and upon graduation in 1938, returned to New Smyrna Beach.
Audrey married the love of her life, James Elijah "Jim" Phinney, beloved husband of 75 years, in June of 1940 and moved to Palatka in 1941. She worked with the Putnam County Health Department as office manager from 1953 to 1978 and retired after 25 years of service.
Among those loved ones who preceded her in death were her parents, William Benjamin Jermy and Edith Smethurst Jermy; sister, Vera Mae Jermy McLane; brother, Victor H. Jermy; husband, James Elijah Phinney; and granddaughter, Audra Phinney.
Surviving are two sons, James Norman Phinney (Lynn) of Orange Springs, and William Neil Phinney (Patricia) of Knoxville, TN; five grandchildren, James Michael Phinney, David William Phinney (Debbie), Candace Bohannon (Billy), Kimberly Bugner (Kevin), and Karen Reinbolt (Jeff); step-son, Greg Rice; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and cousin, Raymond Goudy.
Audrey's love for family, adventure, camping, and travel took her up and down the mountains of the eastern United States many times. She had traveled to every state in the Continental U.S., as well as Canada, Europe, the Holy Land, and North Africa, with her favorite destination being England and the British Isles. She loved fishing and enjoyed being captain of the boat when on the water. She was passionate about crossword puzzles and when you saw her, she usually had a crossword puzzle book in hand or tucked in her purse.
Audrey and Jim were avid square-dancers and had memberships in numerous square-dancing clubs. Her sewing skills made sure their many dance costumes always matched. Attending square-dance club camping trips and conventions were common, and they were once a part of an Orange Bowl half time show.
A cradle Episcopalian and member of St. Marks Episcopal Church in Palatka for over 75 years, Audrey was active in The Daughters-Of-The-King, alter guild, and the Episcopal Church Women. She enjoyed expanding her Christian faith and was a participant of Cursillo #22, Dioceses of Florida, Ultreya.
Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St., Palatka, FL with the Rev. Jon Davis, Ph.D. officiating. Interment will follow at Peniel Cemetery, 5227 Silver Lake Drive, Palatka, FL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257: Attention: Putman County Community Hospice.
Messages of sympathy may be shared on Audrey's online tribute page at
www.themastersfuneralhome.com.Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements.
Published by Palatka Daily News from Oct. 6 to Oct. 20, 2025.