Audrey Lois Newman

NEWMAN, AUDREY LOIS Audrey Lois Newman died at her home Saturday, April 19, 2008. She was 84. She was born Audrey Lois Offenberg March 28, 1924, to Isadore "Offie" and Gertrude Offenberg in Chicago, IL, where she was raised. She attended the University of Illinois where she was a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi and served on the Pan-Hellenic council. On November 11, 1945, she married Sibley Newman in Chicago. The couple moved several times in their early marriage finally settling in San Diego in 1957. Along with being a devoted and caring mother to her three daughters, Audrey helped operate three Lundin's Children's Shoes stores with her husband. Later she worked as a bookkeeper for Friendship Manor Convalescent Home in National City. A loyal employee, she retired at 75 after over 20 years of dedicated service. Audrey was a member of Congregation Beth Israel and was active in the temple sisterhood. As a member of the United Jewish Federation, Audrey traveled to Israel in the mid 1970's with her mother-in-law Esther Newman. Audrey and her beloved husband loved to travel, were patrons of the Old Globe theater and were surrounded by a loyal group of friends. However, family was always her first priority and as matriarch of a large family, Audrey could always be counted on to attend any special occasion, no matter how small. In addition to her multitude of other activities, Audrey was an avid bridge player, enjoyed yearly ski vacations to Colorado with her family for over ten years and loved building her shoe collection. She also remained extremely close with her elementary school friends and sorority sisters all through her life. Audrey was a dedicated fan of the San Diego Chargers and Padres and was honored by her family at a Padres game this year on her 84th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her brother Ray Charles of Beverly Hills; daughters, Nancy Higgins and son-in-law Harry Higgins of Longmont, CO, Margy Newman of Pittsburgh, PA, and Sally Keil and son-in-law Toby Keil of Thousand Oaks; grandchildren Heather Higgins of Longmont, CO and Rachel and Griffin Keil of Thousand Oaks; loyal friend and "fourth" daughter Leslie Perlis of San Diego and numerous out-of-state nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial Services will be held Wednesday, April 23rd, at 11 a.m. at the Presidio Place Clubhouse, 5605 Friars Rd., San Diego. Donations may be made in Audrey's honor to the American Cancer Society or San Diego Hospice.