Audrey A. Gilmore

Audrey Annie Ley Gilmore, 90, Bolivar, died Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at her home. The daughter of Walter William Isaac and Nellie (Moore) Ley, she was born February 13, 1920 in Bristol, England. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sylvan Daniel Gilmore, June 5, 1963; brothers, Roy Walter Ley, died serving aboard the HMS Bountiful which was sunk in 1940 and Ronald Cyril John Ley who died in the 1970's; and cousin - Irene Glass, who died December 22, 2009. Audrey finished school at 14 in 1934 and worked as an apprentice in a dress shop, buying material and learning dressmaking for clients. Prior to being drafted into the British Army in 1941, where she served as a cook in a Welsh Guard Anti-Aircraft Battery, based outside of London during the German Blitz, Audrey worked in the WD & HO Wills Cigarette factory in Bristol, England. After WW II ended and she was discharged from the service, Audrey married Sylvan Daniel Gilmore - twice - first by proxy on March 4, 1946, then again in Southern California on April 19, 1947 after arriving from England. In 1948 Audrey & Sylvan celebrated the birth of their only child John. Although the family was living in Southern California Sylvan insisted the child be born a TEXAN, which necessitated a move to Dallas, Texas. The family moved back and forth between Texas and California, eventually settling in Whittier, California. After Sylvan's death in 1963 Audrey worked as a department manager at Newberry's Department Store and Modern Woman Clothing store in Whittier. Audrey was a knitter extraordinaire - sweaters, vests, hats, baby blankets, wonderful hooded sweaters for babies - you name it, she always had a beautiful project going before arthritis took it's toll on her hands. She also made the best macaroni and cheese you could imagine - leftovers were rare! She was loved by her family and will be sorely missed. She is survived by her son John and his wife Peggy, 2 grandsons -Matt and Mike, and Mike's wife Gina and their five children, Tia Gilmore, Morgan Gilmore, Drayven Gilmore, Joey Mooney and Samantha Mooney. Funeral services will be at 3:00 PM Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at Murray Funeral Home, Bolivar with Rev. Don Keesler officiating. Interment will be in the Humansville Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. PDF Printable Version

Audrey A. Gilmore

February 13, 1920 - May 26, 2010