By the family

Nov. 2, 2022: Audrey Barrett Bower, Age 88, of Bloomington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 15, 2022, surrounded by family and a series of football games in which her favorite teams all lost.

Born on August 25, 1934, in Bronxville, NY, “Audie” spent most of her life in this one-square mile town before boldly moving to Minnesota in 1999 to be nearer to family. As a young child, she was a spitfire, often locking horns with authority figures: parents, teachers, crossing guards and nuns (being a lefty put her on the defense!). An innate Jesuit, we think she made a deal with the Heavens to simply do good in the world on her own terms. 

A game-changer to all. The first female class president of Bronxville High School, a NY State Paddle Tennis Champion, a graduate of Briarcliff College, and a Time Inc. employee extraordinaire (she received the 3^rd copy of Sports Illustrated ever printed). These are the achievements, but her heart resided in human connection—incredible mom to Abby Pettee and Sally Maenner, beloved “Baggie” to her grandchildren Amanda, Emmy and Chris, champion of Paul, Bill, David, Jay and her Chosen Family which numbered many.

She quietly changed lives by investing in strangers. A chance meeting at Zumbros Coffee Shop in Linden Hills led to the most profound accomplishment of her life: helping to reunite the most wonderful Tibetan mom, Ngawang, with her children who remained in India.

The story of Audrey would not be complete without mentioning her obsession with lawn care. She would have been a value-add at Augusta—her lawns were legendary, no leaf lingered for more than two minutes. For years, she tended our lawn becoming a beacon to all who wandered up our street. She loved to announce at the end of the day, “that was a 12-hour yard day!” (4 hours on the yard, 8 hours chatting with the world). She was beloved by many.

We are indebted to the staff of Friendship Village and Grace Hospice, whose excellent care was extraordinary. All was good in the world; she spent time with her great-granddaughter Willa and watched her beloved NY Rangers trounce the hometown team 7-3.

Please raise a Coors Light to a spectacular soul. We miss her dearly.

There will be a memorial service on November 19, 2022, at 10:00 am at Friendship Village in Bloomington. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Friendship Village Employee Fund (EAF):  8100 Highwood Drive, Bloomington, MN 55438.