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CUMMINGS -- Audrey T. Cummings, embraced by her loving family, died peacefully at home on October 2, 2004. Audrey was born in Minneapolis, MN, on July 30, 1919, the daughter of Inga and Theodore Tadsen. It was while working for Minneapolis Moline that she met and married Joe Cummings, with whom she was to share almost 60 wonderful years. In Minnesota, Joe and Audrey had three children, and the Cummings family moved to Albuquerque, NM, in 1958. Audrey's life overflowed with family and friends. She possessed an undying devotion to her family, raising three wonderful children, caring for her beloved Joe, and maintaining close ties to her brother, other family members, and to the special circle of friends that she had made as a child and young adult in Minneapolis. Audrey worked for many years as the attendance secretary at Van Buren Junior High School. After her retirement from APS, Audrey began to volunteer at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, where she found a whole new family of friends, including her dear friend, Peggy Owens. Audrey volunteered over 4,000 hours of her time at the Museum, receiving her 10-year pin in 1996. Audrey attended St. Luke Lutheran Church since her arrival in Albuquerque, and was thrilled to be able to attend the 50th anniversary party of the church on September 11, 2004, as well as the worship service the following morning. Her church community was tremendously important to her, and her friendships in that community were wonderful and many. Audrey's love and enthusiasm for life was ever-present, as was her passionate pride in her children and grandchildren. Her generous, down-to-earth style, and wonderful cooking made the Cummings home a warm and welcoming place for all. In later years, as friends and loved ones endured losses, Audrey was always there to give them comfort and support. Her compassion for others was a great gift to the world. It was indeed a fitting tribute for Audrey to be visited, telephoned, and comforted by so many friends and family over the last few weeks, and to have her three daughters by her side in her final days. Audrey was very touched by everyone's outpouring of love for her and this certainly eased her Journey, granting her the strength and serenity she needed to move on with dignity and grace. Audrey was a shining star and will always be remembered for her enduring kindness, generosity, and love. Audrey died knowing that her legacy lives on in those who survive her and in those generations yet to come. Surviving Audrey are her husband of 57 years, Joseph E. Cummings; daughters, Pamela (Paul) Fairbanks of Ithaca, NY, and Lisa Cummings (Allen Andraski) of Los Alamos, NM; her daughter by marriage, Betsy (Stan) Johnston of Santa Fe, NM; grandchildren, Maggie Cummings of Boulder, CO, Nick (Sara) Cummings of Providence, RI, Adrienne Clermont, Ithaca, NY, and Brad Johnston of Albuquerque, NM. Audrey was predeceased in 1995 by her son, Dr. Michael Cummings, of Los Alamos, NM. She was also predeceased by her parents and her brother, Eugene Tadsen, of Atlanta, GA. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on October 10, 2004, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9100 Menaul Blvd. N.E., in Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, or to Lovelace Sandia Hospice.
        Published on: Thu October 07, 2004