Audrey was born on April 19, 1923 to George and Sabina Haywood and passed away on November 12, 2021. She was the granddaughter of R. M. Haywood, who came to Ferndale from Missouri in 1872 and settled in the Port Kenyon area. Audrey was the last remaining sibling of the Haywood family of seven children and lived independently until the age of 97. She lived in Ferndale most of her life and attended Ferndale schools. Audrey was known for her athletic accomplishments in the late 1930s and early 1940s, especially track and field.

Audrey married dairyman Babe Lourenco in 1943 and raised three children. During World War II she and her friends worked at the Golden State Creamery in Loleta making powdered milk for the troops. Audrey worked at Lentz’s Department Store in Ferndale in the late 1950s and 1960s. Over the years, Audrey and Babe belonged to a dancing club and played league bowling. They also enjoyed trips to Reno and dining weekly at Parlato’s restaurant in Fortuna. Audrey was known for her beautiful and creatively decorated birthday cakes (with thick buttercream frosting) which she customized for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and those whom she considered family. She was also known for her holiday cookie trays and buttermilk pancakes.

Audrey’s greatest passion was watching San Francisco Giants and she rarely missed a game on TV; dinner and parties were scheduled around what time of day they were playing. Brandon Belt was her favorite Giants player. Audrey also enjoyed spending time with her great-grandchildren and had recently become a great-great-grandmother. Audrey was called Nana by many and Santa always managed to find time to stop by Nana’s house in person on Christmas day to deliver a bag of gifts to all of the kids.

Audrey is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Lynn and Carol Lourenco, daughter Susan Esty, and daughter and son-in-law Patti and Jim Cady. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Scott Esty (Juana), Andra Stringer (Keith), David Lourenco (Molly), Troy Cady (Stephanie), Kelley Lawrence (Chris), Becky Esty-Burke (Jason), and Laura Littlefield (Luke). She leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren; Sydney Stringer, Tyler Peach, Kristen Cady, Samantha Stringer, Julie Cady, Sophie Stringer, Mason Lourenco, Nolan Lourenco, Isabelle Burke, Abbie Burke, Kenny Lawrence, and Amy Lawrence. Audrey also had 2 great-great grandchildren Tucker Baker and Waylon Peach. She was preceded in death by her husband Adelino “Babe” Lourenco, four brothers and two sisters; Robert, Tat, Kenneth, and Clint Haywood, Margie Smith, Phyllis Sousa and by son-in-law Edward Esty.

There will be a private graveside service at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to a favorite charity.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Audrey Lourenco’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.