Yvonne Bea (Russ) Auyer

Yvonne Bea (Russ) Auyer, 93, formerly of Fair Haven, New York, died peacefully at her home in
Shallotte, North Carolina on December 3, 2021. Nicknamed Vonnie most of her life, she was born on
October 19, 1928 in Detroit, Michigan to Bertha Lydia (Taylor) and Frank Leslie Russ. Preceded in
death by her husband William Ralph Auyer (married September 2, 1950) and brothers Frank Leslie
Russ Jr, Jack Russ, and Terry Russ, she graduated from Baldwinsville Academy in 1946. Mrs. Auyer
attended the former Syracuse General Hospital nursing program upon graduation, becoming a
Registered Nurse in 1949. She worked at Crouse Hospital (Syracuse NY) from 1949 to 1982, and for
many years took evening shifts to take care of her family during the day. She was a resident of
Syracuse, Chittenango, North Syracuse, and Fair Haven before retiring to Shallotte, NC with her
husband Bill in 1995. Mrs. Auyer was a member of the Camp United Methodist Church in Shallotte.
NC. Upon her husband’s death, Yonnie also attended Calvary Baptist Church where her daughter
Valerie serves on staff. For most of her adult life she was an active member of the United Methodist
Women and at one time was an active volunteer with the Brunswick County Food Bank. Most recently
she helped with Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse.
Mrs. Auyer loved to travel, visiting all 50 states with her family and husband, also including Mexico,
Canada, the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas. She was famous for persuading her husband to stop at
Civil War battlefields because of her love of history. Many fond memories were spent with her family,
camping in the Adirondacks, particularly on Saranac Lake. She enjoyed her husband’s passion for
sailing and served admirably as second mate on many excursions.
Surviving are her five children, William Auyer Jr. of Douglas, WY, Peter (Rebecca) Auyer of
Liverpool, NY, Valerie Wilson of Shallotte, NC, Kim (Michael) Mahoney of Colorado Springs, CO,
and Krista (Kenneth) Cayea of Boiceville, NY; 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, nieces and
nephews. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend who will be missed by all.
A memorial service will be held at Riverview Cemetery in Baldwinsville, NY at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 955 Mercy Ln SE, Bolivia,
NC 28422.

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