Audrey Joan (Hunt) Eno

Audrey J. Eno, 78, of Newaygo, Michigan passed away peacefully on Thursday July 28, 2022 at Green Acres Long Term Care facility in Cedar Springs, Michigan following a protracted illness. Surviving are husband Paul Eno, children Kathleen (Ludo) Vlieger of Henrico, Virginia; David (Loriann) Eno of West Bloomfield, Michigan; grandchildren Jack Eno, Eva Vlieger, and Paige Eno. Her only sibling, Larry, died in 2008.

Audrey was born March 21, 1944 in Hornell, New York, to Elbert and Aileen (Brown) Hunt. To reduce risk from a polio epidemic the family moved from Hornell city to a farm in rural Alfred Station in the late 1940’s. When she was around seven her mother became ill and Audrey went to live with her widowed grandmother Cleo Brown. When Audrey was in high school Cleo married Clarence Jacox, a widower who was raising his grand-daughter who was just a year older than Audrey. They became like sisters.

Paul and Audrey grew up in adjoining counties and were in their respective high school bands. In 1960 each was selected to participate in the Area All-State Band held in Hornell. They met there and reconnected two years later when Audrey spotted Paul having a snack at the Alfred University Student Union. She re-introduced herself and thus began their romance.   

Audrey graduated from Alfred-Almond Central School in 1962. She enrolled at the Highland Hospital School of Nursing in Rochester, New York and, in 1964, wed Paul Eno, Jr.  The couple moved to Mr. Eno’s new job as a technical center materials engineer in Toledo, Ohio. Audrey completed her Registered Nurse training at Riverside Hospital School of Nursing in 1965. Career opportunities led the couple to move to Tiffin, Ohio in 1966.  Kathleen was born later that year and David in 1970. The family subsequently relocated to Indiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and, in 1977, to Newaygo, Michigan. There Mr. Eno opened a new refractory green-field production facility in nearby White Cloud. Audrey was employed as a registered nurse at each location and remained at Gerber Hospital, in Fremont for 25 years. She began as a shift nurse.  When the hospital subsequently opened a visiting nurse program Audrey enthusiastically joined that venture. She had found her professional calling and drove throughout rural Newaygo County for 15 years, in often demanding weather conditions, to assist those needing her skills.

Mrs. Eno became an accomplished watercolor artist. Her training was obtained through initial encouragement from her high school art teacher followed by numerous seminars and workshops with gifted instructors. She began with oils and then transitioned to pastels and finally into watercolor art.  Her paintings have been exhibited at galleries in New York, Michigan and Florida. She became an instructor in watercolor techniques; opened Riverview Studio; and accepted painting and framing commissions.  Audrey was brought up in the Seventh Day Baptist faith and later was active in the Women’s Fellowship of the Newaygo United Church of Christ. Audrey had a well-developed sense of humor and was a kind, compassionate and loving person of deep conviction.

During summers the family boated locally and throughout northern lower Michigan. Travel highlights for the couple included vacation trips to the US west coast, the desert southwest, and an extended automobile tour throughout Austria.

The Eno residence sits on a 125-foot embankment overlooking the scenic Muskegon River. Audrey enjoyed her family, jogging, boating, biking, and her art.  After retiring she relished winters at their Gulf of Mexico barrier island residence on Manasota Key, Florida. The walls of their Newaygo home and Florida condo are filled with her works of art.

The family would like to express appreciation to the caregivers and staff at Green Acres in Cedar Springs, Michigan and to the staff of Interim Hospice. Cremation has taken place with interment in the City of Newaygo Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests the Memorial Fund of the Newaygo Congregational United Church of Christ, Newaygo, Michigan 49337 be considered.  You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com.  Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.

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