Audrey Hagedorn, charming, artistic
Audrey Hagedorn of Lewes passed away peacefully at her residence at Cadbury of Lewes Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, from complications of ALS. Ms. Hagedorn was born in Chisago City, Minn., Feb. 27, 1931. She was the daughter of Ernest and Lavella Soderlind and the oldest of their three children.
Charming, generous and an avid learner, Audrey was born with a thirst to see the world. During the summers while attending college, she worked in Yellowstone, Estes, and Glacier national parks. Upon graduation from the University of Minnesota, she taught elementary school in Edina, Minn., and took work assignments as an exchange teacher in Hawaii and Nurnberg, Germany, where she dedicated her time to help inform the future generation.
Audrey was at the forefront of the women's movement quietly and successfully in the real estate business in becoming one of the first women managers in the Long and Foster Real Estate office in Gaithersburg, Md. During the 1970s and ‘80s, her Gaithersburg office set multiple sales records during difficult economic times.
Audrey was adored by many for her wit and tenaciousness. During her retirement, in Bethany Beach she formed The Bethany Beach Water Color Society, which continues to be an active organization. She is also attributed to forming the "Not So Good" golf group at Cripple Creek Country Club. In her later years she played duplicate bridge and attained the rank of Bronze Life Master.
Ms. Hagedorn is survived by her two daughters, Kirsten Suddath and Katherine Hembree; and her granddaughter Karla Claire Hembree. She is also survived by her sister Bonnie Hiatt; her brother Lee Soderlind; and her sister-in-law Kathy McKay. She is predeceased by her son-in-law Stephen Wade Hembree; and her brother-in-law Dr. John Hiatt.
Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 3, at noon, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 West Fourth St., Lewes. There will be a Celebration of Life Ceremony held by her family in a private setting later in 2018.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charity of personal choice.
Please visit Mrs. Hagedorn's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
