August 31, 1936 - April 27, 2023
Audrey Gladys Clewes Pullens (Ramage), 86, passed away peacefully on 27 April 2023 at home in Redwood City, California.
Audrey's life was an adventure that began on August 31st, 1936 in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was the second of four children and only daughter of Andrew and Charlotte Ramage. Growing up in a working-class family during World War II and contending with three brothers, Audrey quickly became a strong and independent woman. She graduated Tynecastle High School - Class of 1950, attended Skerry's College in Edinburgh and then at age 18 set sail on the Queen Elizabeth for New York City.
Originally hired to be a "children's nurse," Audrey also worked as a shop window dresser before eventually ending up with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines at Idlewild, now known as JFK Airport. It was there, in 1959, while working for KLM, that Audrey met the love of her life, a tall blond handsome Dutchman named Wim. It was truly "love at first sight" for they were married after knowing each other only one day!
The happy couple was married and settled in Curaçao. Audrey described her time in the sunshine and warm clear blue waters of the "tropics" as among her happiest. And it was there that their first child, Andrew was born in 1961. A couple of years later they moved again to pursue the "American Dream" in California. They bought a cute three-bedroom house with a white picket fence and rose bushes. Wim added a wooden windmill to the front yard. And their second child, Tineke was born in 1964.
Wim's job in retail management took the family all over California. While they were living in southern California, Audrey was caring for the neighbor's dog. One day she found the poor dog struggling to give birth to puppies. She helped deliver them. And soon Muffin became a beloved addition to the family. In 1973, Audrey, Wim, Andrew, Tineke and Muffin settled in Redwood City.
Tragically, Audrey's fairytale romance was interrupted in 1976, when Wim was killed in a car accident. Though she met and dated a few other gentlemen later, she did not remarry. Audrey remained deeply in love with and devoted to Wim the rest of her life.
In addition to time as a "children's nurse," a window dresser, and with the airlines, Audrey's career included working as a radio DJ, as an insurance coder, and in retail management, including as the deli manager at Roberts Market in Woodside, all while also being a dedicated mother, wife, and homemaker. She eventually retired from Stanford University after 22 years of service with the Department of Anesthesia. Audrey was a woman of many talents and passions.
In her later years, Audrey remained stubbornly independent. She enjoyed keeping her mind active by reading and doing her daily crossword puzzle and CryptoQuip. Audrey took great pride in keeping her home immaculate. Every surface was always dusted and polished. Her bed was always made, and everything was always in its place. She was busy cleaning right up to her last day.
Audrey loved her family and never missed a birthday or Christmas or special occasion. We always looked forward to her cards, gifts, emails, and phone calls. Audrey will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Audrey is survived by her children Andrew Pullens (Birgit Pullens) and Tineke Triggs (William Triggs); her grandchildren Ian Scott Pullens (Stephanie Pullens), Bretagne Pullens (Jason Stowe), Bénit Pullens (Danielle Lindsay), Anike Wilder (Dan Wilder), Johanna Conrad (Caden Conrad), Ryan Triggs, and Jaden Triggs; her great-grandchildren Liam Pullens, Maximus Pullens, Atticus Pullens, Anders Wilder, Keilani Wilder, Olive Conrad, and Holland Conrad; and David and Julia Garcia, whom she also considered family.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Wilhelmus "Wim" Pullens, her parents Andrew and Charlotte Ramage, and her brothers, Ian, Andrew, and Ivor Ramage.
Per Audrey's wishes to "not make a fuss," no memorial service will be held. But instead, her family will gather privately together to remember Audrey and celebrate her life.
Rest in peace, Mom. You will be forever loved and missed.
