Audrey LaBorde

1934 - 2025

It is with sadness that we announce that Audrey Lea LaBorde, aged 90, formerly of Freeport and Orangeville, passed peacefully at Medina Nursing Center, Durand, on April 12, 2025. She was a woman of adventurous spirit and boundless generosity. Audrey was born on November 29, 1934, in Monroe, WI, to her parents Roy and Onetta Rufi of Orangeville. When Audrey was only twelve years old, she was badly burned in a fire in her family home. Because the first US civilian burn unit was only established a year earlier as a research center, she was cared for by her parents at home. Periodic care was given throughout her life. She was able to overcome this challenge and went on to live an adventurous, compassionate and productive life. Audrey graduated from Orangeville High School in 1953. She married LaVern Crafton soon after and became a mother for the first time in 1954, and again in 1958. After parting ways, she married William George in 1961. Four additional children were born to the couple. In 1982 she married Dennis Nieman, and in 1991 she married Gerald LaBorde. Audrey worked as an assembler in the manufacturing sector, from which she retired from Micro Switch / Honeywell. Her professional life, however, was just one aspect of her dynamic personality. Audrey's adventurous nature was evident in her hobbies and achievements. She was an avid swimmer, a certified Scuba Open Water Diver, a globe-trotter who had travelled to Oaxaca, Veracruz and Mexico City in Mexico; France, Belgium and Switzerland in Europe; the Bahamas; several states in the USA; and even earned a Certificate of Flight in a Hot Air Balloon. Enjoying the excitement of parades, she also traveled to California to see the 2001 Rose Parade. At the core of Audrey's generous nature was her deeply rooted faith, which she expressed through her active involvement in the Park Hills Church in Freeport. She was an active member of the church choir and took part in mission work in Honduras, embodying the compassionate spirit of Christianity. The words of 1 Peter 4:10, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others," were lived out daily in her life, through her love of laughter, for music, gardening, elder home care, and taking care of her pets. Audrey is survived by her five daughters, Diane (Wayne) Phillips, Andrea (Michael) Gibson, Linnet (Scott Smith) Hawthorne, Adrienne (Michael) Abramovich, and Scarlet (David) Leverton. She will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren Kristen (Mario) Aguirre, Kara (Bradley - deceased) Dummer, Kiley (David) Yates, Korey (Christie Gaskill) Phillips, Danielle (Jon) Bauer, Derek (Cariee) Gibson, David (Lyndsey - fiance) Rollinger, Jimmy Dyson, Keith (Amanda) George, Kory George, Heather Valverde, Mike Abramovich, Tamsy Leverton, and Teegan Leverton. Her legacy continues with her niece Anita (Mark) White and great grandchildren Lucas, Isabella, Mason, and Gavin Aguirre; Preston and Myrah Dummer; Emily, Matthew and Hailey Yates; Mara Gaskill and Bella Crisp; Mikenna and Aubrey Bauer; Ayva Bennett and Nora Gibson; David Isaac and Dylan Jo Rollinger; Alex Love; Theo George and Melody George. Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Onetta Rufi, her daughter Laura Harris (Leland Warren), her granddaughter Jessica Love, and her grandson-in-law Bradley Dummer. Audrey's life was a beautiful testament to her spirited nature, her boundless generosity, and her compassionate heart. She lived life to the fullest, leaving a legacy of love and adventure that will forever be remembered by all who knew her. A Memorial Visitation will be held Thursday, April 17, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McCorkle Funeral Home, located at 101 W. Main St. in Durand, IL. Cremation Rites to be Accorded. Final Resting Place to be Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe, WI. We invite you to share your memories of Audrey and upload photos to the memorial page to celebrate her life.