Cheers for volunteers

Audrey Poehling commenced life in Antigo, Wis. She graduated from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minn., taught school for a year and then worked for a CPA in Madison, Wis. It was there she met Bill.

After he graduated from law school, they married and moved to Phoenix. His interest in foreign trade led to a position with the J. G, Boswell Co., a giant in the cotton industry. Shortly thereafter, Bill was transferred to Guymas, Mexico, as manager of the company's processing plant.

This presented a challenge for Audrey, who, without Spanish but with a three-year-old son, Mike, and a four-month-old daughter, Lisa, was thrown into a different culture. She resolved to abide by the local rules, and with the children began learning the language.

Prohibited from working, she had time to enjoy her family, which later included son Robert. She learned the customs, such as riding in the back seat, serving her husband at dinner parties, chaperoning her children at dances, and eating lunch at two and dinner at eight.

After 19 years, the family relocated to Los Angeles, where Bill entered the shipping industry and Audrey launched a 20-year career as a claims coordinator for the Hilton Hotel chain, handling claims ranging from lost items to serious injuries. In the meantime, son Mike had found Whitefish, and it required little urging to convince her to make this her home.

A self-styled homebody, Audrey is devoted to her family, which now consists of three children, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She also enjoys bridge and volunteering at North Valley Hospital and the Stumptown Historical Society. She feels that by volunteering, she has "gained an additional family," and she believes that "if you live in a community you should be a part of it."

Audrey, you have established yourself as a valuable part of our community and we appreciate all that you do.

— Jake Heckathorn

This column is dedicated to those who give freely of their time and energy to worthwhile community projects, but whose efforts often go unnoticed. If you know such a person, please e-mail jheckathorn@centurytel.net.