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Audrey Ruth McGrath, 86

Audrey Ruth (Beier) McGrath, 86, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully the night of March 9, 2017, at the Hospice House of North Idaho.

Born in Riverside, Ill., on Jan. 13, 1931, Audrey and her older sister, Eileen, were raised by their loving parents William and Rose (Heise) Beier (both of Chicago). She grew up loving swimming, music, books/reading and time with her family.

A good student, Audrey attended Riverside Brookfield High School, which provided many wonderful adventures and memories, including those with the girls’ chorus, parts in many theatrical plays, accordion music with her western band and work at the local library. However, the best part of high school was meeting James J. McGrath, also of Riverside. Audrey and James were married on May 24, 1952. They moved to San Diego, Calif., for one year while Jim worked as an electronic technician on the Atlas Missile.

Upon return to the Chicago area, the couple and their first born, a son Kevin James McGrath, settled in Schaumburg, Ill. Here, Audrey and her beloved Jimmy thrived for 38 years. Audrey gained her associate’s degree in library science and worked as a Library Technician at Schaumburg High School for 20+ years. Audrey and Jim also raised their children, Kevin McGrath (now of Post Falls, Idaho) and Jill Kaye McGrath-Berra (now of Australia).

Upon retirement in 1991, Audrey and Jim moved to Post Falls to be closer to family. Audrey continued working part time as a librarian at the Post Falls Public Library. The couple took great joy in Ryan, their first grandson in the U.S., and Emilia and Zachary, their grandchildren in Australia. Audrey and Jim traveled to Australia on many occasions; after Jim’s passing in 2006, Audrey made the journey once more in 2008. In December 2013, Audrey was blessed with the birth of her first great-grandson, Liam James McGrath. Her second great-grandson, Calder Lee McGrath, was born in November 2015. She absolutely adored and cherished every minute with Liam and Calder, their parents Ryan and Samantha (Huff) McGrath, as well as all the visits by her Australian grandchildren, Emilia Audrey Sophonisba Berra and Zachary Joseph Hannibal Berra.

Over the last 11 years, Audrey actively supported and volunteered with many local community agencies, including the Post Falls Public Library, Calvary Lutheran Church, Family Promise, Salvation Army, Post Falls Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, Bag Ladies (youth food program), Fit and Fall Proof as Exercise Leader and many more. She shared much love, joy and many smiles with everyone and was grateful to be able to assist anyone she could.

Audrey’s deep faith in our Lord sustained her through her long life, but especially over the last nine months as her health yielded to cancer. Audrey R. (Beier) McGrath is survived by her son, Kevin and daughter-in-law Linda McGrath; her daughter, Jill McGrath-Berra and son-in-law Frank Berra; her grandson, Ryan and granddaughter-in-law Samantha (Huff) McGrath; her grandchildren, Emilia and Zachary Berra of Australia; and her great-grandsons, Liam and Calder McGrath.

A memorial service for Audrey will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1011 N. Compton St., Post Falls.

Audrey McGrath Fund Memorial fund has been established to benefit Post Falls Public library. Donations are gratefully received and may be sent to Post Falls Public Library, in care of Rebecca Melton, 821 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, ID 83854. If preferred, flowers may also be sent prior to Saturday, April 22, 2017, in Audrey’s name to English Funeral Chapel, 1700 Spokane St., Post Falls, ID 83854.