Audrey D. Tenney

Audrey Delores White Tenney, 82, of Frederick County, Virginia, died Wednesday, January 11, 2012, in Winchester Medical Center.

Mrs. Tenney was born October 30, 1929, on Staten Island, New York, the daughter of the late Charles E. and Minnie White. She was a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. She was a member of the Hoyt Avenue Congregational Church on Staten Island, New York.

She married Kenneth S. Tenney on June 24, 1950, on Staten Island, New York. In 1964 they moved to Tuscola, Illinois. Their final relocation was to Winchester, Virginia in 1972. He preceded her in death on August 23, 1992.

Surviving are eight children, Scott Tenney, Sr. (Judy) of Rockton, Illinois, Gail Hoover (Scott) of Winchester; Kim Zimmerman of Inwood, West Virginia, Janet Shade (Steve) of Winchester, Thomas Tenney (Jennifer) of Renton, Washington, Kenneth Tenney (Cindy) of Winchester, Karl Tenney of Stephens City, Bill Tenney (Kami) of Stephens City; ten grandchildren, Scott Tenney, Jr., Alex Zimmerman, Geoffrey Tenney, James Tenney, Victoria Tenney, Catherine Tenney, Jacob Shade, Mary Tenney, Luke Tenney, and Maggie Tenney, and a cousin, Gladys Haager of Winchester.

One sister, Virginia Sanders, and a son-in-law, Jim Zimmerman, preceded her in death.

Raised on Staten Island, New York, Audrey was a 1947 graduate of Curtis High School, where she was a tennis standout. She had fond memories of growing up on Staten Island in the company of her mother’s German family, and of visits to her father’s Alabama relatives. Her interest in the well-being of others was very well known. Even in the final stages of her life, she took the time to be sure that all her loved ones were well cared for and not going to any extra trouble. Her family treasures the memory of the many sacrifices she made for them over the course of her sixty years as mother and grandmother.

She considered it a privilege to enjoy God’s Creation – always people first, but also flowers, plants, birds, and trees, many of which she could name on sight. She was an avid gardener of flowers especially (seed and bulb catalogues being necessary for winter survival), and marveled at the yearly re-emergence of the various flowers and plants, each in its turn.

Beach vacations on Lake Michigan at blueberry season, now a family tradition, began with Audrey and Kenneth in 1966. Though sidelined by infirmities in recent years, she enjoyed other travels as well visiting Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Colorado, and Georgia while always surrounded by loving family. While still able, she was socially involved with many neighbors and friends. She particularly enjoyed her bowling team, the Green Thumbs. Audrey also supported many local and national charities.

Her family will always miss her sweet, loving disposition and silly sense of humor. We rely on the knowledge that God has reserved a place for her where all tears have been wiped away, and there is no more death, sorrow, crying or pain. Rest in peace, Mom/Grandma.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Monday, at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with Reverend Jim Smith officiating.

Inurnment will be at a later date in Old Stone Church Cemetery, White Hall, Virginia.

The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 3:00-5:00 PM at Omps Funeral home, Amherst Chapel.

Memorial contributions are requested for Salvation Army Winchester, 300 Fort Collier Road, Winchester, Virginia, 22603, Meals on Wheels, 11 North Washington Street, Winchester, Virginia, 22601, Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, 207 Mosby Lane Front Royal, VA 22630 or WMRA Public Radio, 983 Reservoir St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com.