| Date of Birth | May 30, 1928 |
| Passed Away | July 7, 2026 |
| Place of Residence | Canandaigua |
| Home State | New York |
| Service Date | July 16, 2026 |
| Service Time | 2:00 PM |
| Service Location | Pleasant Valley Cemetery |
CANANDAIGUA – Audrey Louise Gleason, age 98, of Canandaigua, took her last breath on Earth on July 7, 2026.
Audrey was born on May 30, 1928, in Bath, NY; daughter of the late Charlotte and Glenn Gamble.
She graduated from Hammondsport Central School in 1945 and the Rochester Business Institute in 1946.
She grew up in Hammondsport and was fortunate to spend many years on beautiful Keuka Lake, both during her youth and after she married. During the war, she was the “courier” of broken small appliances and frequently helped friends and neighbors by taking their items in need of repair to and from Rochester where she attended school since service and parts were limited locally. She once traveled to NYC with a friend who auditioned and was chosen to perform with the Rockettes. Her friend declined the offer, and Audrey was then asked to audition. She chose not to, but shared fun stories of the “behind the scenes” happenings with friends; a true adventure for a girl who grew up in small town, Hammondsport! As an adult, she was known to travel across the lake by boat to attend a party and loved to socialize. She loved classic cars, beautiful jewelry and closets full of clothes.
Audrey retired in 1986, after 41 years in the banking industry, first at the Bank of Hammondsport, Lincoln First and eventually Chase Bank.
She volunteered at Sonnenberg Gardens and enjoyed traveling the world; her favorite destinations – Alaska, England, Hawaii, Italy and Germany.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Harold Gleason, in 1988. After his death, she moved from Keuka Lake to Canandaigua, first residing at Yacht Club Cove, and then Ferris Hills, where she was the first resident to purchase there and a “Charter Member”. Shequickly renovated an open porch area with sliding glass doors and windows so that she could enjoy the “outdoors” all year long, marveling at the many deer and wildlife that came to visit.
From Ferris Hills, Audrey moved to Clark Meadows, and finally, to the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center. Heartfelt thanks to staff on the Meadows, who graciously cared for her in her final years.
Audrey was an amazing Lady, with a Life Well Lived!
She is survived by long time friends, Joe Celso and Robin Johnson of Macedon, cousins, Sister Ann Flynn, of Boston, MA, Rob (Nancy) and Connor Flynn of Rochester, Kelsey Flynn of Peru, and Brian (Lada) Flynn of Morrisville, NC.
Audrey will be laid to rest in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammondsport, beside her husband, Harold on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 2:00pm.
Donations in her memory can be made to Hammondsport Central School, where she has established a scholarship for graduating students, or to the Pleasant Valley Cemetery Association, Attn: Kim Cruse, 13 Geneva St., Bath NY 14810.
Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, Hammondsport, is honored to assist Audrey’s family with her arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Audrey are welcome below, or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
My husband’s beloved Aunt Ann of the Medical Missionaries of Mary rejoined the motherhouse in Boston 10 years ago, after many years of caring for her sister Margaret in Buffalo. During those long years of nursing Aunt Margie through Parkinson’s, she and Aunt Margie made many trips to visit their first cousin, Audrey. They ofter spent weekends together, enjoying each other’s company and memories of growing up.
Before she left for Boston, Aunt Ann asked us to check in on Audrey. “There is no feeling on the world like having family. Knowing you have people”, said Aunt Ann in her lilting Irish accent she had acquired while nursing in Northern Ireland.
So we did. And what fun we had! Visiting casinos (Audrey was extremely lucky) countless lunches, drives around the Finger Lakes and dinners at Ferris Hills. She loved nothing more than to entertain on her lovely enclosed patio, when the sun was setting over Canandaigua.
Even into her 90’s, Rob and I were amazed by her boundless energy. She loved to share stories of her amazing life. She spoke of World War II, leaving Hammondsport for the big city to study in Rochester, working for years in the bank, breeding German Shepherds, and how she adjusted to being a bride. Often, in the middle of a story, she would pause to laugh and say “I haven’t thought of that in years!”
Many thanks to Aunt Ann for giving the gift of coming to know and love Audrey.
Thank you Audrey, for assuming the role of Matriarch for our small family, after Rob and I lost our parents. We are so grateful to have known and loved you.
My husband’s Aunt, Sr. Ann (Medical MIssionaries of Mary) returned home from nursing around the world to care for her sister Margie many years ago. Aunt Ann, Aunt Margie and Audrey rekindled the deep friendship only first cousins can share. They traveled, spent weekends together, loved and supported each other through good times and bad.
When Aunt Margie passed, Aunt Ann chose to return to the convent in Boston. Before she left Buffalo she asked Rob and I to keep an eye on Audrey. Aunt Ann’s mobility was limited and she knew it was unlikely she would be home again. “Stay in touch with Audrey,” she said “it is important to have your people around you. Family is everything.” So we did.
And lucky us! Audrey was so fun. Rob and I marveled how much energy and enthusiasm for life she had. Even into her 90’s Audrey was active, interested and interesting. We had many lunches, trips to casinos (she had great luck), day trips and dinners on her enclosed patio. She loved nothing more than having us to dinner while the sun was setting over Canandaigua.
Audrey shared stories of small town life, WWII, going to the big city at 16 to go to business college, working in the bank, adjusting to marriage and raising her German Shepherds. Sometimes in the middle of a story she would laugh and say “I haven’t thought of that in years!”
Thanks to Aunt Ann for giving us the gift of getting to know and love Audrey. She will be missed.