AUDREY ELIZABETH LAYTON

Audrey Elizabeth Layton (Jones) 92, a long-time resident of the Skagit Valley, died peacefully and surrounded by her children at Ashley Gardens in Mount Vernon, on Thursday, September 4.

Born and raised in Granite City, Illinois, Audrey was the second oldest of six children. After graduating from Granite City High School, she worked for several years before meeting Raymond E. Layton at a USO dance. The couple married after a brief courtship and just before Second Lieutenant Layton, a member of the Army Corps of Engineers, was shipped overseas.

Audrey and Ray eventually settled in the San Francisco Bay Area where they raised three children. Audrey was a wonderful mother and homemaker. She also provided countless hours of bookkeeping and accounting services for Ray’s civil engineering practice.

She was an avid reader enjoying literature of all genres, and thoroughly enjoyed British comedy and drama television shows. If Alzheimer’s hadn’t steadily claimed her mind over the last five years she would have been a devoted fan of “Downton Abbey” and “Call the Midwife.”

In 1976 Audrey and Ray moved to Shelter Bay in La Conner, living aboard their 28-foot sailboat during construction of their home. Ray passed away in 1982, but Audrey remained in Shelter Bay where, over the years, she became deeply fond of the natural beauty and lifestyle of the Skagit Valley. Audrey’s lovely home, with its spectacular views of the water and mountains, became the gathering place for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She enjoyed nothing more than having the house full of family, cooking wonderful meals, enjoying magnificent sunsets from the deck, and taking long walks throughout Shelter Bay, which always ended at Martha’s Beach to watch the sea birds and explore the shore.

Audrey is survived by her children, Jeffrey Layton and wife Meta, Pamela Layton and husband Paul Giguere, Julie Urban and husband Tony; her six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews. There was a private cremation by Kern Funeral Home, no other services will take place.

However, to fulfill her wishes, the family will spread Audrey’s ashes at Deception Pass at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, Western & Central WA Chapter, North Tower, 100 W Harrison St, N200, Seattle, WA 98119-4170; or Hospice of the Northwest, 227 Freeway Dr, Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273; or to your choice of scholarship for college students striving to become teachers.

Finally, the family wishes to extend its deepest thanks and appreciation to each and every member of Audrey’s Ashley Gardens “family.” We are grateful for the superb, loving and compassionate care our mother received during her four plus years living at Ashley Gardens. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.