Audrey Armstrong died peacefully at home January 1, 2018.
She was born Jan. 5, 1929, at home to her parents, Henry Clay Bowen and Edith G. (Hall) Bowen in Upper Sandusky, Wyandot County, Ohio. Dr. I.N. Bowman was the visiting physician. She graduated from Upper Sandusky High School and attended Bowling Green State University.
In 1948 she and Calvin F. Armstrong of Upper Sandusky were married. Three children were born, two currently living: Christine (Armstrong) Cummins (Worthington, Ohio) Douglas Nyle Armstrong (Deceased), and Roxanne Armstrong (Houston, Texas).
Best known as being a Master Florist and a certified gemologist, Audrey had a busy and varied work career. After working for other businesses, she opened her own beauty shop “CalAud Beauty Bar” in Upper Sandusky in 1953.
She opened a larger beauty shop and hat shop, called “Chris’s” after her oldest daughter, which was enlarged to include women’s clothing. Later she purchased a department store in Upper Sandusky called “Flox” and closed the beauty shop in 1969.
By 1976, she had opened stores in Bucyrus, Galion, Westerville, and Mansfield, closing the store in Upper Sandusky. In 1985, she changed directions, closed her clothing stores and trained to become a gemologist. Her jewelry store opened on Ashland Road in Mansfield, Ohio.
When customers wanted jewelry delivered to restaurants for special occasions, Cal would dress up in a suit and deliver the jewelry along with roses. This lead to an expansion of the business to include flowers, and the entwined businesses of “Audrey Armstrong Jewelry” and “Phone-A-Gift Florist.”
Audrey trained to become a florist and was awarded the honor of Master Florist for FTD. In 2016, the business changed its name to “LC Floral”. Due to health reasons, the business was closed in 2017.
Audrey is survived by her husband; two daughters; four grandchildren, Jennifer Nicole (Cummins) Quigley, Curt Andrew Cummins, Jason Nyal Armstrong, and Todd William Armstrong; four great-grandchildren; and ten nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Marion (Bowen) (Luthy) Failor; and her son, Doug.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1592 Grace St, Mansfield. Interment will be a private service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
Werner Gompf Funeral Services, 1106 Park Ave. East, Mansfield, is handling the arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.wernergompf.com
