Audrey and Howard Wells

Audrey June (Longworth) Wells, August 10, 1928 - May 30, 2020 Howard Everett Wells, December 12, 1925 - April 26, 2021 Our parents were rarely separated in life and so, when Mom died on May 30, 2020, we felt that Dad would soon join her... and he did just that on April 26, 2021. A friend, comforting us, told us that she could imagine my dad walking up to our mom, who would be waiting for him, with her "arms flung wide open" to which we added "and a 'Honey-Do' list in each hand!" Audrey June Longworth was born to Marion and Alice Longworth on August 10, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. Sandwiched between two elder and two younger brothers, Audrey developed a strong independent streak. She graduated from high school at the age of 16, but due to the Great Depression and WWII, was unable to afford going to attend college. She, instead, decided to have a great adventure and moved across the country to Salem, Oregon in 1948. It was there that she met the handsome and recently honorably discharged Marine, Howard Wells, in a bar on State Street. Howard Wells was a "local boy," a fourth generation Oregonian whose family of land grant settlers reached the Oregon Territory via wagon train on the Oregon Trail in 1848. His father, Orville Wells and mother, Clara (Schneider) Wells, and older brother, Donald, welcomed Howard into the world on December 12, 1925. He grew up quite happily on the family farm until, in 1943, he joined the US Marine Corps and, following boot camp at Camp Pendleton, was tasked to the South Pacific war theater. He served in the Marianas and the Solomon Islands and was witness to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Following the armistice, he was posted to China to assist in the repatriation of the Japanese invading forces. He always spoke of China as though it were magical. At the time Howard and Audrey met, Howard was a recent graduate of Oregon Technical Institute employed at an office equipment business in Corvallis, Oregon and Audrey worked for Pacific Power and Light in Salem. After a brief courtship, the two decided to become married. Howard always said, "I chased Audrey until she caught me." Seventy years later, we were still not certain about "who caught whom." After five years in Corvallis, the young couple moved with their three young children (Michael, Janet and Allison) to Eugene, Oregon, where Howard worked at a local office machines service and sales business. Four years later, in 1963, they purchased Yreka Typewriter Service and moved to Yreka, California. As with everything else in life, our parents considered themselves equal partners and this extended to their ownership and management of the business that would be renamed "Yreka Office Equipment." Audrey was in charge of bookkeeping and purchasing and Howard handled repairs and outside sales. Due to their hard work and reputation for honesty and integrity, the new business was quite successful. Both Howard and Audrey believed in civic engagement; the notion of giving back to the community that supports you. They accomplished this through volunteerism in organizations such as Soroptimists, Rotary, Madrone Hospice, American Field Service, Top 100, Elks and Friends of the Library. They were also deeply involved with their church, St. Mark's Episcopal, and undertook support through leadership and service roles. Our parents loved to travel, both within the United States and overseas. Their interest in foreign lands and cultures was kindled by their participation in the American Field Service. Over a 20-year period, the Wells' hosted students from every corner of the globe, whether passing through for a short stay, or being welcomed for a month or more. Through these interactions, our parents sought to better understand the lifestyle and culture of the students they hosted. In 1972, the Wells' welcomed Ivana Bertolone of Turin, Italy, to their home for a year. The relationship would continue for the next 45 years until Ivana's death in 2018. Twenty-seven (or so) years ago, Audrey and her dear friend, Mary Hedge, shared a vision of a rural Hospice House. There was no model for such a thing and the cost was thought to be prohibitive. Audrey and Mary envisioned a "new to you" resale store to provide funding for the construction and ongoing support of a hospice care facility. They researched other such operations and in Fall 1992, with the support of the board, the Madrone Hospice Shop opened on the corner of Miner and North Oregon. Within a few years, the Hospice Shop had met its goal and the Madrone Hospice House was constructed on Collier Circle in Yreka. Throughout their lives, both of our parents continued to be engaged in support of hospice programs. As recently as the past five years, despite their advanced years and declining health, working in the shop and supporting fundraising efforts was an important part of their routine. In 1997, Howard and Audrey moved from Yreka to Bandon, Oregon where they built a home beside that of her brother, Roger and his wife (Audrey's best friend), Mary Ann. Their time in Bandon was filled with joy and fun and some reckless behavior! Audrey volunteered at the museum and Howard gave his time to the library; both were involved with South Coast Hospice and St. John's Episcopal Church. They returned to Yreka in 2013 to be closer to family. Upon their return, they were quick to find ways to be of service returning to their volunteer work at Madrone Hospice, the Siskiyou County Library, and Yreka Tailgater's Ministry. Their commitment to providing as much assistance as they were able, for as long as they were able, is their enduring legacy. Howard and Audrey loved their family. Their granddaughters, Erin, Caitlin and Jennifer were the center of their universe. When the great-grandbabies started arriving, their bucket was filled to the brim and they cherished every moment of "family time," no matter how chaotic. Grubby little hands sharing treasures of bugs and twigs were as eagerly accepted as if they had been made of gold. Audrey (Nana), could whisper any baby, no matter how cranky, straight to sleep. At the end of their lives, the care they received from the wonderful and nurturing staff of Madrone Hospice provided for a gentle, peaceful and dignified exit. We will never be able to fully express our gratitude for this amazing service. We also want to express our thanks to Nurse Maja and Nurse Bliss, and home caregivers (and by that, we mean dearest friends) Ashlee, Kristi, Noel and Sadie. It truly does take a village. Our family, Michael and his wife, Marykay, Janet Wells, Allison and Steve Leal, and bonus daughter, Kathleen O'Neill, along with Howard and Audrey's grandchildren, Erin (Leal) and Jerry Hoffman, Caitlin (Leal) and Ryan Gregory, and Jennifer Leal and Joshua Goodale, want to invite all those who wish to attend to a Service of Christian Burial at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Mt. Shasta at 11:00 a.m. on June 11, 2021. A Marine Color Guard Ceremony will take place just prior to the service. All are welcome. If attendees have not yet received a vaccination, it is requested (but not required) that a mask be worn. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. A luncheon reception will follow at a location to be announced. If you wish to make a donation in honor of Howard and/or Audrey Wells, we would like to suggest the following organizations: Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097 Yreka Rotary, Barbara Collier Memorial USI Scholarship, Yreka Tailgater Ministry, ? Yreka United Methodist Church, 502 N. Fairchild, Yreka, CA 96097 South Coast Hospice, 1620 Thompson Rd., Coos Bay, Oregon 97420