Audrone Maria "Audra" Mazeika

Audrone Maria Mažeika, lovingly known as Audra, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025, in Mission Viejo, California, at the age of 78. Born August 4, 1947, in the Würzburg Displaced Persons Camp Hospital in post-WWII Germany, Audra was the beloved daughter of Romas Masiulionis and Aldona (née Valickis) Masiulionis. Her life was shaped by the strength and resilience of her Lithuanian nobility roots.
In 1949, at just two years old, Audra emigrated to the United States with her family as refugees, settling in Buffalo, NY. Sponsored by her uncle, Fr Masiulionis, they began a new life in America. Her brother, Vitas Masiulionis, was born five years later. Audra remained deeply connected to her Lithuanian heritage throughout her life. As a child, she was a Lithuanian Girl Scout, a member of the Buffalo Lithuanian Club, and later became President of the Lithuanian Student Club at SUNY Buffalo, where she attended university.
It was there she met her future husband, Denis Mažeika, a medical student in the ROTC program. They were married on December 27, 1969, at Holy Spirit Church in Buffalo by Rev. Rafaelis Sakalas, beginning a devoted partnership that lasted 53 years until Denis's passing in 2023.
Their life together was rich and full of purpose. As Major Denis Mažeika, M.D., served in the U.S. Army, the couple lived across the globe, including a meaningful return to Audra's birthplace in Würzburg, Germany-now as part of the U.S. Army medical community. Later, they settled in LeRoy, NY, where they opened a private ophthalmology practice in Batavia. Audra managed the office and volunteered at Genesee Medical Hospital, where Denis served as Associate Chief of Staff.
Audra was tireless in service-not only to her family and community but to her ancestral homeland. From 1989–1992, she and Denis helped collect and deliver over three tons of medical supplies to Lithuania. She continued to support Lithuanian causes through charitable work for SOS Children, personally aiding institutionalized children and "adopting" an orphanage.
Audra's talents and passions extended deeply into the arts and music, dancing especially polkas, Lithuanian folkdances. She studied painting under John Peisley with the Batavia Society of Artists, exploring oil and watercolor and being named Artist of the Month in May 1992. A lifelong learner, she studied photography and portraiture and explored every musical instrument she could find, reflecting her boundless curiosity and creative spirit.
Later, she took care of both of her parents to the very end of old age and illnesses to God's antechamber. In 2001, life changed dramatically when Denis suffered a series of debilitating strokes. Audra became his full-time caregiver for 22 years, while also confronting and overcoming her own cancer diagnosis. Her devotion was unwavering, and her strength extraordinary.
In 2014, the couple moved to Mission Viejo, CA to be closer to his brother Tony & Danute Mazeika and their large family for support for 10+ years. Following Denis's death in May 2023, Audra found renewed spiritual purpose. She became active in St. Kilian Catholic Parish, attending daily Mass and Rosary, volunteering with the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and joining the Sisters of Ruth. Her prayer list, she'd often say, never lost a name once it was added-bringing comfort, hope, and humor to those around her.
Audra was predeceased by her beloved husband Denis, her parents Romas and Aldona Masiulionis, cherished grandparents Jonas & Ona (nobility Korzonaite) Valickis, and Ignas & Antanina (Gentvilaite) Masiulionis, her dear uncle and aunt Stasys and Regina (née Vaidotas) Valickis, and her in-laws Anthony & Susana Mažeika, Joan Mazeika Gustavson. She is survived by her loving brother Vitas Masiulionis (Mary Jane) and their children, Christine and John Masiulionis (Cheektowaga, NY, and San Diego, CA), and her best friend Virginia Matthews of Mission Viejo. She is also remembered by many beloved cousins and extended family, including: Ed Klimas (Vilija), Andrew Valickis (Debbie), Tod Valickis (Lina), Al & Mirga Vaitkus, and the Mažeika in-laws: Anthony & Danute Mažeika, Maria & Steve Dayton, Katherine Moore, Joan Dlouhy, Mary Benchimol (Ed), Ruth Izzo (Jerry) & son Matthew. ; Maryte Utz (late John), Jonas Mazeika (Sue), Peter Mazeika (Angela) and their children, grandchildren. Her many nieces & nephews include: Andrius Mažeika (Kate), Conrad Mažeika, Anthony Swanson Mažeika (Megan), Tadas Paegle (Inga), Edward Paegle (Laura), Irene Tuttle, Christine Hall (Chris), Erlinda Doherty (Brendan), Alyte Mažeika Gfoeller-Volkoff (Emmanuel), Andrius Utz (Lisa), Ann Gecevis (Rimas) Stefanie D'Agostino (Matt), Katie Burfield (Scott) & 2 sons, Steve Mazeika(Lauren) 32 great-nieces and great-nephews, include Nick, Edward, Madelyn, Emily, Matthew, Julian, Skyler, Kristina, Lukas, Ronan, Cillian, Scarlett, Emilia, Avalon, Gabriele, Julianna, Logan, Felicity, Konstantinas, Valickis great nephews nieces Kevin, Erin, Alex, & Jazmine, Utz: Andrius II, Anastasia, Gecevis: Veronika, Evelina, D'Agostino: Greta, Eleonora, Paulius."
Audra was a proud member of many organizations, including:
Funeral Services
Funeral Mass
Thursday, September 11, 2025
1:00 PM – Divine Mercy Chaplet
1:30 PM – Mass
St. Kilian Catholic Church
26872 Estanciero Drive
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Reception immediately following on the church patio
Burial & Committal
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
1:30 PM
Miramar National Cemetery
5795 Nobel Dr.
San Diego, CA 92122
Mass will be livestreamed via YouTube.
For the link, please text requests to Danute Mazeika at 949-836-4719.
In Lieu of Flowers
Please consider donating to the organizations Audra held dear:
"Her prayers never stopped. Her humor never faded. Her love never ended."
Audra will be remembered always for her devotion, service, creativity, and a heart that embraced everyone she met. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, and fierce Lithuanian pride.