Back in 2017, Audrey Bueche, right, was among well-wishers when Ann Lord was recognized with the Charles “Chuck” Bueche Lifetime Achievement Award in the Pavilion at Meson Sabika. Earlier this year on Jan. 18, Ann celebrated her 90th birthday. Nearly three months later, Audrey followed suit.
Birds are singing. Trees are blossoming. Flowers are blooming. And a little birdie told us recently that this bright sunny day is Audrey Bueche’s 90th birthday.
Born April 13, 1931, Audrey met her husband, Chuck, when they both were students at North Central College. As the story goes, the couple eloped and kept their vows a secret until after Audrey was graduated in 1955.
The couple and their three children, Debra, Denise and Douglas, were members of the Wesley United Methodist Church where Audrey became active in volunteer initiatives.
Chuck was well-known as a charter member of the Naperville Jaycees and for his association with Fannie May Candies where he was VP of Employee Benefits. Perhaps to keep “consumables” top of mind as the couple’s priority, Audrey kept active at Wesley United in support of the annual holiday cookie sale. And for many years she ran the pecan sale fundraiser in support of church missions.
One of Audrey’s prized moments was when she and Chuck together were recognized by Naperville American Legion Post 43 as 1999 Citizens of the Year, she often told friends.
Over the years, this publication has developed a particular fondness for Audrey, a proud Naperville volunteer we met when she, husband Chuck and their longtime friends, Gertrude and Frank Osterland, were rolling plastic flatware into napkins for the Sponsor Tent at the 2001 Jaycees Last Fling. Naperville born Frank, known to us as an avid storyteller, introduced us to the Bueches that Friday evening during Labor Day Weekend. Frank later became a contributing writer for PN, sharing tales of his childhood and his friends such as the Bueches.
After Chuck died in 2010, PN always could count on running into Audrey at American Legion socials at the VFW, Municipal Band Concerts and the Memorial Day Observance in Central Park. As the sampling of photos notes (and we have more!), Audrey also continued to lend her support to special events such as the annual Distinguished Service Awards hosted by the Naperville Jaycees, oftentimes with a gift box of chocolates from Fannie May.
