Audrey Elaine "Friedrich" Schaefer

Just after sunset on the evening of March 28, 2026, Audrey Elaine Friedrich Schaefer passed away in her Rockville, Connecticut home.

She will be incredibly missed by her husband of more than 75 years, Earl R. Schaefer, and her loving family: daughters, Heather Schaefer of Vernon, CT, and Holly Schaefer of Manchester, CT; granddaughter, Chelsea Crowne, and her husband Andrew Wakeman; and great-grandson, Archer Wakeman also of Manchester, CT.

Nana was dearly loved by her nephew, Scott Friedrich his wife, Beverly of Tolland, CT, and their family: grand-niece, Kyle Sandness, her husband Greg, and their children Addison and Nathaniel of Woodstock, CT; and grand-nephew, Ian Friedrich and his partner, Edgar Marin of Middletown, CT.

Aunt Audrey also leaves behind nieces, Karen Jones of Chicago, IL, Lynn Paseka of Ellington, CT, Laurel D'Agata of Lecanto, FL, Cheryl Howell of Murray, UT, Sharon Ballis of White Bear Lake, MN; and nephews, Glenn Friedrich of Carlsbad, CA, Neal Friedrich of Bartlett, TN; as well as many other grandnieces and grandnephews. "Trixie" also leaves her great family friend, Janet "Pickles" Harris of Tolland, CT.

The family would like to acknowledge the attentive care given to Audrey by Patrice Griffin.

Audrey Elaine Friedrich was born March 11, 1930, in Manchester, CT. The daughter of Harry and Helen Friedrich, the middle child between two very loving brothers, Gordon and Harry, Jr., who teased her unmercifully. Their bond was exceedingly close. They are blessedly reunited.

Audrey graduated from Rockville High School in the spring of 1949. She was voted by her classmates to be The Best Looking and Best Dressed among them. Audrey paid for her notable wardrobe herself by working during high school at The Pickle Factory on Windermere Avenue in Ellington, CT. She often told the story of how she would walk the 3 miles home smelling of brine.

On August 26, 1950, Audrey married Earl Robert Schaefer of Rockville, CT where together they raised their two daughters. They made their home in Rockville for 69 of their 75 exceptional years together.

Audrey had a career in real estate working first as a salesperson for R. J. Flagg, then establishing her own firm, Audrey Schaefer, Broker.

Audrey was a talented cook, and an even better baker. She was taught by her father who owned his own bakery. She made the world's best apple pie.

Audrey was an avid follower of UCONN Women's Basketball (since before it was popular). She and her husband, Earl, would attend games in The Field House when attendance was free and minimal. It was a memorable event for these season ticket holders to attend the Final Four in Minnesota in 1995 and see the UCONN Women win their first championship.

There was nothing more important to Audrey than her beloved family and friends, who will remember her as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, and a wonderfully devoted friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Rd. (Rt 83) in Vernon. There will be no formal service and at the request of her family, burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blood Cancer United-Donor Services, P.O. Box 98018, Washington, DC 20090.