Audrey Bette Prosser

Audrey B. Prosser

Our wonderful Mom, Grandma andGreat Grandma Audrey B. Prosser, born September 7, 1924 in Bloomington, Indianapassed away on April 19, 2016 with her loving family by her side.

Left to honor her memory andcarry on her legacy are her children, Claudia, Steve (Carol), Debbie (Otha) andBecky (Rick); her grandchildren, Caroline, Matthew (Samantha), Joanna (Mitch),Emily, Sara (Matt), Katy, Rachel (Aaron); and her great grandchildren, Darious,Malik, Julian, Brennan, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Harrison, numerous nieces andnephews. And Molly the cat.

Born just prior to theDepression, Audrey moved numerous places while growing up as her father, afurniture maker, moved around the country for work. As fate would have it, when she married Claudeon November 6, 1943, little did she know that she would once again be movingaround the country. Claude’s career withNational Linen took them from Louisville, Kentucky, where they had married andall four children were born, to Columbus, Indiana, then to Marietta, Georgia,then to Rossville, Georgia, then to Chattanooga, Tennessee and back toColumbus, Indiana – and this all from 1959 to 1965!

Audrey and Claude loved bigband music and could dance the meanest jitterbug anyone could ever see.

Once in Columbus, Audrey’slove for politics came to life as she volunteered for Bobby Kennedy in1968. That lead her to a lifelongactivism in Democratic politics, where she became only the second woman to beelected a County Chairperson in Indiana. As the City Chairman for the municipal election in Columbus, Indiana in1973, she delivered a Democratic sweep of the Mayor’s office and the entireCity Council, an accomplishment of which she was quite proud. She worked hard and was loved and admired bySenator Birch Bayh, Congressman Lee Hamilton and Secretary of State LarryConrad. She attended the 1972 DemocraticNational Convention in Miami as a delegate; the inauguration of Jimmy Carter asPresident in 1976 and the swearing in the Rose Garden at the White House of afriend as the U.S. Attorney. She was astaunch supporter of Hillary Clinton in 2008 and came to love BarackObama. This election season her heartwas once again with Hillary.

She instilled her love andimportance of current events and politics in all of her children andgrandchildren. She was proud when hergranddaughter Sara happily announced in 1992 when Bill Clinton was electedpresident she was so happy that she would be 18 and able to vote for him in1996.

She learned the value of moneyfrom her mother who baked and sold cakes for a $1.00 door to door during thedepression. Audrey became a mastercrafter and could make her money stretch for years in little envelopes stuck inher purse.

She was a gifted seamstress,making clothes for her kids as they grew up, everything from school clothes toEaster best. Every time she and Claudemoved she made curtains for each home – more often than not out of red-checkedtable cloths from National Linen Service.

After the kids were grown andout of the house Claude’s work again took them around the country. From Columbus to Mt. Kisco, New York toHouston, Texas and then to Rutland, Vermont.

Audrey loved Vermont! Her crafting became more serious – andprofitable. She became a member of theRutland County Farmers Market and very proudly served for a number of years astheir Secretary. She sold herscrapbooks, Christmas ornaments, bread baskets and much more every Saturday atthe Market and at the big Christmas Fair every year. She loved her friends in Vermont.

In 2006, at the insistence oftheir children, Audrey and Claude moved back to Indiana to Indianapolis to beclose to their family. Many, many happytimes; laughs; good food and great friends have ensued. After Claude’s passing, Audrey continued tojump into life. Talking politics;swearing at the Republicans; scrapbooking; having family dinners and watchingher grandchildren and great grandchildren grow.

Audrey was a woman ahead ofher time, a strong, independent, smart, intelligent woman who loved beingengaged in her community. Once whenasked what her religion was, she answered “Democrat.”

Her family and friends willhonor and remember her on Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 pm at Flanner andBuchanan, Washington Park North. Thefamily will be available to visit and reminisce beginning at 11:30 am.

If you wish to make adonation in her name, you may do so to Boys Town, 14100Crawford St. Boys Town, NE 68010, www.boystown.org or to Hillary Clinton for President.

Please share an online condolence or a memoryat www.flannerbuchanan.com