Audrey M. Finnegan, 84, of Pensacola, Fla., died on Feb. 27. Audrey was born in Staten Island, N.Y. on Jan. 24, 1924. She was also a resident of Homosassa, Fla., before moving to Pensacola in 2002. She owned and operated telephone answering services in Staten Island, N.Y., and in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. She was a member of the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church. Audrey was a veteran of the U.S Navy from 1944 to 1946 and also belonged to the Moose Lodge, American Legion and was co-founder of American Irish Club of Inverness, Fla. She also enjoyed bowling, painting with watercolors and was an avid gambler who frequented the casinos of Biloxi, Atlantic City, and Foxwoods. She loved Martha's Vineyard and spent many happy times on the Island with her daughter and family. Audrey had made many friends on Martha's Vineyard during her visits and kept in touch with them. She traveled to Ireland several times in search of her roots. She was proud but saddened to learn that her great aunt Bridgette McNeill was among those lost on the Titanic. Audrey was a very kind, generous woman who had a great sense of humor. She said that the purpose of life is to let people know that you were here on this earth and in this, she succeeded in her goal.
Audrey was predeceased by her parents, Frederick and Margaret Cummings; and her beloved husband, John Finnegan.
Audrey is survived by her son, Patrick, and his wife Brenda Blaine of Fla.; daughter Janet and her husband, George Lander, of Florida; daughter Laura and her husband, Robert Johnston, of Oak Bluffs; grandchildren Elizabeth N. Smith, Andrew Johnston, and Laura Jean and Evan Blaine; her brother, Dennis, and his wife, Marge Cummings, of Florida; a niece, Barbara and her husband Bud Ruth; and nephews James and Stephen Flynn, also grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
A private memorial service is planned for later this spring on Martha's Vineyard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Audrey's memory to Covenant Hospice, 5041 N. 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504.
