Audrey Ann Lockett's Obituary
Audrey Lockett passed peacefully in her sleep on March 8, 2023 at her home in Heritage Harbour with family at her side after a long life of loving and unselfish service to others. Born December 30, 1926 in Washington, DC, she was the eldest of two children of the late Joseph Foley and Willie Mae Duley.
An outstanding student, she attended Notre Dame Academy on a full scholarship. During her teens, she enjoyed dancing with friends at the Washington hotels that regularly featured famous big bands. After a year at Trinity College, in 1946 she married Durward “Woody” Lockett, her favorite among many suitors who courted the beautiful, vivacious young woman. Five children followed and over the years she was the mainstay of love and support in all their lives. She created beautiful homes for the family, helped with homework, school projects, chauffeured to and attended school plays, concerts, and sporting events for all five children, while working full time.
A devoted daughter, she spent many hours taking her parents to appointments, Sunday dinners, vacations and weekend outings. She loved finding the perfect gift and card to make every occasion special for family and friends.
After retirement, she enjoyed hosting her grandkids for games, gardening and cooking projects, trips to parks and the beach. She was a marvelous cook and into her early 90’s she hosted the entire family for every holiday gathering and insisted on preparing the feasts herself. Among family favorites were her brisket, clam chowder, and trifle.
She worked as personal secretary to Rep. Olin Teague of Texas in 1954-59 and 1968-79 during times he headed congressional space and science committees. Then, and in 1979-1981 when she was executive secretary to the chairman of the science and technology committee, she attended historic events and met the famous astronauts and political figures of the day. Her poise, intelligence, discretion and gracious manner won her the respect and admiration of all she met.
Always open to new experiences, after retirement she managed the office of a local boat sales company, qualified to serve as crew or skipper on small keel boats, and helped with sales of the new line of the small Fatty Knees Dinghy yachts. She loved to dance and sang beautifully, indulged her lifelong love of music and theatre at Washington and Annapolis theaters and concert venues. She read widely in fiction, history, poetry, current events and politics and explored her family genealogy. She was a whiz at Jeopardy and crossword puzzles, including the Sunday NY Times. During the 70’s and 80’s she enjoyed travel to Bermuda, Nassau, Eleuthera and other islands.
In 1984 she moved with her cherished little dog Ralph to her home in the Heritage Harbour community. Here, into her late 80’s she continued her years of gym workouts, exercise classes and until Covid restrictions in 2020, her almost daily lap swimming. She supported many charitable causes and community events. She formed enduring friendships, played cards every Saturday for years, enjoyed social and community events, and is remembered as a personable, generous, gracious lady with a ready wit.
Left to cherish her memory are daughter Linda (Walsh) Warner of the home, sons Daniel of Centreville, Timothy (Sara) of Virginia Beach, James “Jay” (Lisa) of Ft. Lauderdale, brother Robert (Judie) Foley of Wilmington, N.C., grandsons Matthew, Christopher, Justin, Michael, Jamie, Timothy and granddaughter Brittany. She was preceded in death by former husband Durward, eldest son Wayne (Bonnie), and grandson Jeremy.
Her family will gather for a private celebration of her life.
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