In Loving Memory of Audrey Joan Crevelt (née Stanford)

Audrey Joan Crevelt lived a life marked by extraordinary resilience, deep compassion, and resolute service to her community. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, nurse, and volunteer, Audrey's life spanned continents, generations, and eras of profound change. Through it all, she carried herself with quiet strength, humility, and an unwavering commitment to caring for those around her.

Early Life

Audrey was born on June 16, 1930, on the island of Cebu in the Philippines. Her early years were shaped by an international family history and frequent moves. Her father, born in Sydney, Australia, to English parents, worked in Manila, while her mother—one of eight children raised in Washington's Pend Oreille Valley—trained as a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Spokane and later served in U.S. Army hospitals in the United States and overseas.

Audrey's childhood in the Philippines was filled with vivid memories: daily swimming, long bicycle rides, and afternoons spent exploring large compounds with neighboring children. These formative years were also marked by profound hardship. During World War II, Audrey was interned as a child at the Santo Tomas prisoner-of-war camp from ages nine to twelve. While interned, she narrowly survived a serious kidney infection at a time when medical care and supplies were extremely limited—an ordeal that further shaped her lifelong resilience, empathy, and quiet strength.

Education and Career

Audrey attended the University of California, Berkeley, and later graduated from the UCSF School of Nursing, where she formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. An only child, Audrey cherished these relationships deeply; they became a source of sisterhood, belonging, and shared strength that remained with her throughout her life. While completing nursing school, she married John Crevelt and continued her studies while pregnant with their first child.

Audrey spent more than 38 years as a registered nurse at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, serving in multiple roles and becoming known for her calm presence and compassion. After John's passing, she returned to work part-time for an additional five years in discharge planning and extended care.

Family Life

Audrey and John settled on Mitchell Way in Redwood City, where they raised eight children: Linda, Sharon, Patrick, Michael, David, Richard, John, and Mary.

She is survived by 15 grandchildren—Keith, Kate, Dylan, Sarah, Crosby, Logan, Tyler, Chris, Faye, Jordan, Kaila, Owen, Jack, John, and Colby—and five great-grandchildren: Liliana, Dominic, Colette, Liam, and Autumn.

Personal Interests and Joys

Despite her many responsibilities, Audrey found joy in simple, steady pleasures and meaningful companionship. She loved swimming at the YMCA with her fellow "Y ladies," playing Bridge with close friends, and enjoying weekly golf outings. Travel was another great joy—she explored the world alongside her husband John, her family, and her dear longtime friend Helen. Closer to home, trips to Half Moon Bay, especially for fresh crab, were among her happiest traditions.

Above all, Audrey cherished time spent connecting with family, friends, and strangers—who quickly became neither.

Service and Legacy

Audrey's commitment to her community was woven quietly into her daily life. She gave her time generously at the St. Francis Center, helping provide food, clothing, and essential support to working families striving to live with dignity. For more than 20 years, she also served the local American Cancer Society, driving patients to and from treatments and appointments and offering not only transportation, but steady companionship during difficult times. Service, for Audrey, was deeply personal—rooted in respect, presence, and genuine care.

As a devoted Vincentian with the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Pius Catholic Church, Audrey spent countless hours driving, visiting, and sitting in conversation with those in need. She offered not only material assistance but also companionship and spiritual reassurance, believing deeply in the importance of listening and human connection.

Through these steady, often unseen acts, Audrey lived her faith through action and left a lasting imprint of kindness on her community.

Services by Crippen and Flynn, Woodside Chapel, will be held at St. Pius Church on January 30th at 10:00 AM.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to either the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Pius or the St. Francis Center of Redwood City.