Audrey Loretta Tirrell

Audrey Loretta Tirrell, 94, of Marblehead, died on Thursday 17 August 2023 after a long illness. She was the daughter of the late G. Wilbur Tracey and Loretta Ryan Tracey and the stepdaughter of the late C. Marguerite Tracey. Audrey lived most of her life in Marblehead, graduating from Marblehead High School in 1946 and from Lasell College with an Associate’s Degree in 1948. Audrey studied voice in NYC for a year, then returned to graduate from Boston University with a B.S. in Business.

After graduating from BU, Audrey was employed at GE in Lynn, where she met her future husband and true love, John A Tirrell. They were married in 1952 and enjoyed 61 years of marriage until John’s death in 2013. Upon marriage, Audrey became a homemaker and mother to 4 daughters. She maintained her interest in music throughout her life, performing locally and as a soloist for a number of churches and as a church choir director.

She was a voracious reader and a profound animal lover, owning many dogs over her lifetime. She also raised, bred and showed Persian cats for a number of years.

Audrey loved to entertain, to travel and to host her many friends and family in Bermuda and Key West, as well as poolside in her lovely backyard. She was known for her beauty, her sense of style, her large personality, strong opinions, her awe-inspiring wardrobe, fun loving companionship, and for encouraging others to enjoy life.

She is survived by 3 daughters, Loretta Bogosian and her husband Zaven, Cynthia Tirrell-Norton and her husband Edward, all of Marblehead and Mary Beth Tirrell and her partner Bobby Shah of Marblehead and Essex. She was predeceased by her daughter Tracy Tirrell, her son-in-law Scott Snow and her grandson John-Pietro Valentini, of Marblehead. She is also survived by grandchildren Ashley Valentini of Dorchester, Adam Bogosian and his wife Cory, of Northport, Maine, Aliza Bogosian, of Marblehead, Luke Norton, of Manchester NH and Liam Norton of Ithaca, NY, and Phaedra Tirrell of Marblehead and Essex. She is also survived by a great granddaughter Adleigh Tracy Briar Bogosian of Northport ME. Audrey will also be missed by many nieces and nephews, her sister-in-law, Rose Tirrell of Nahant, and her longtime friend Wendy Phillips of Salem.

Audrey’s family would like to express their appreciation to the caregivers who helped extend her stay at home: Pauline, Abie and Jacqueline, and to the many caregivers, particularly Ruth Corridon, at Wellspring Village, in Brightview in Danvers when home stay was no longer possible. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer Association or to Care Dimensions of Danvers whose oversight at both locations was invaluable and for which Audrey’s family will be forever grateful.

A Celebration of Audrey’s Life will be held on Monday August 28th from 11am-1:00pm at Eustis & Cornell Funeral Home, 142 Elm Street, Marblehead, Mass.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for the Tirrell family.