Audrey Kimmel

Audrey Schryer Kimmel, 87, while surrounded by family, entered her heavenly home on May 26, 2023.  Audrey was born on January 31, 1936, in Burke, NY to Frederick and Mildred Schryer.  Audrey had fond memories of growing up in rural NY.  She often spoke of the clear brooks and wildflower meadows.  She loved the fresh trout and venison that her father brought home.  She met George Kimmel, the love of her life at Webster High School (Webster, NY) when they appeared together in a school play.  Following high school, she graduated from Canton ATI (Canton, NY).  Audrey and George were married on June 15, 1957 in Rochester, NY and began a life together having homes in Rochester, New York City, New Orleans, Houston, New Canaan, CT and upon George’s retirement, in Gulf Breeze, FL.  Audrey and George also maintained a camp in the Adirondack Mountains for many years, creating fond memories for family and friends.  Audrey made and maintained life-long friends everywhere they lived. She was friendly, genuine and had an extraordinary gift that enabled her to connect and bond with people of all backgrounds.  Audrey was devoted to her family.  Audrey’s three children recall growing up in a home filled with love and laughter.  They are thankful and feel blessed that Audrey was their mother.  Audrey’s grandchildren have wonderful memories of “Grammy” and the love she showered upon them.  Audrey had a love for learning, particularly history.   She taught and mentored students at Parkway Christian Academy in Norwalk, CT from 1979-1989 and had a lasting impact on many of her students.  Audrey was afflicted with liver disease that necessitated a liver transplant in 1998.  She had several close calls, but her faith, determination and care from George gave her 25 more years of life during which she enriched the lives of her family and friends.  Audrey’s family is very grateful to the family of a young man who amid tragedy donated their loved one’s organs.  In the third quarter of her life, Audrey combined her love of history and family by conducting extensive genealogical research and compiling detailed records of the Schryer, Kimmel, Miller, Pike and Travase families.  She and George established the Schryer Center for Genealogical Research at the Franklin County House of History in Malone, NY.  Anyone who knew Audrey for more than a few hours became aware of her Christian faith.  She was not preachy or overbearing, she simply lived her faith and shared it with ease.  Audrey led numerous Bible study groups in her lifetime and studied her Bible daily.  Audrey’s faith gave her great comfort in her final days.  When asked for a final message for her grandchildren she replied, “seek ye first the Lord… love one another”.  Audrey is survived by her son, Frederick Kimmel and wife Linda; daughter Marcella Miller and husband Klein; and daughter Patricia Simmering and husband Scott.  She is survived by grandchildren Stephen Miller and wife Kristen, Thomas Simmering and wife Ari, Andrew Kimmel, Kathryn Mackler and husband Michael, Annie Hearn and husband Sheldon, Emily Simmering, Kayla McConnell and great-grandchildren London Simmering and Kimmel Miller.  Audrey is survived by her sister Frieda Dixon and husband Charles, sisters-in-law Joyce O’Brien, Kathy Adams and husband George, Doris Johantgen and husband Hank, and brother-in-law Charles Kimmel and wife Lavena.  She was preceded in death by her husband George Kimmel, parents Frederick and Mildred Schryer and sister Janice Whaley and husband Curtis.  Audrey’s family is very thankful and appreciative for the care she received from caregivers Cathy Ward, Jodi Howard, Barbra Parham, Katt Ditzhazy and Missy Sloman.   Audrey received excellent care from the staff of Vitas Hospice and the family expresses their deep appreciation, especially to Sarah Besancon.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Audrey’s memory can be made to Highpoint Church, Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church or the Schryer Center for Genealogical Research (www.franklinhistory.org/schryer-center).  Visitation and services will be held at Highpoint Church, Gulf Breeze, FL on Wednesday June 7.  Visitation will be from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m.  A family graveside service will be held immediately after the funeral service at Rose Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Audrey’s memory can be made to Highpoint Church, 1155 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, 75 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, or the Schryer Center for Genealogical Research (www.franklinhistory.org/schryer-center).