Audrey Frances Vanek

Born March 3, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Mae (Meloun) Harmacek and Joseph (Dodie) Harmacek she grew up in Maple Heights and graduated from Marymount High School after which she began working at Ohio Bell Company in Cleveland.

Audrey met the love of her life in high school and went on to marry Donald F Vanek in June of 1950 with whom she had 3 children, Tom Vanek (deceased 2017), Virginia (Vanek) Bailey of New Port Richey Florida, and Mary Vanek Pozuelo of Tierra Verde Florida. Audrey and Don were married for 63 years when Donald sadly passed away in March of 2014. Audrey is also survived by her 2 Granddaughters Michelle Bailey Teichgraeber of Clearwater FL, Audrianna Pozuelo of Tierra Verde FL and grandson Daniel Vanek of Chicago plus numerous nieces and nephews and many close friends.

The couple moved to Canton Ohio in the late 1950’s, finally settling in North Canton where they raised their family until they moved to Huron, Ohio in 1987. During their time in North Canton Audrey and Don were very active in the Canton Civic Opera Association (now called VOCI) for over 25 years. Audrey’s love of music and theatre was nurtured from childhood by her parents who had their own family band that played in and around the Cleveland area. In the Canton Civic Opera, they both made use of their talents and performed in all of the shows, however Audrey also started and organized the Women’s Committee to support the group. Audrey brought together a committee consisting of members of the chorus, wives of members and women just interested in the arts. This was a very big volunteer job that Audrey’s organizational and outgoing personality was well suited for as the Women’s Committee helped with promotion, ticket sales and working backstage during productions. The friendships she forged in those years are still active today and she is remembered by many in the Canton, Ohio area.

Audrey and Don and family also travelled extensively throughout the United States and Europe making many friends along the way. Wherever Audrey travelled she always returned with a new group of friends that she and Don enjoyed staying in close contact with through the years. She and Don also loved sailing and around 1999 finally settled in Gulfport FL at the Pasadena Yacht and Country Club. They enjoyed many trips to the Bahama’s, Virgin Islands, and surrounding areas.

While living at Pasadena Yacht and Country Club, Audrey was actively involved in the yacht club and golf club as well as being an avid card player of both Bridge and Pinochle. Quite the card shark, Audrey was always the partner of choice no matter what the card game. You could always count on her to play the winning hand! Audreys smile, and outgoing and welcoming personality will be missed by all who knew her, relatives, and friends alike.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy, may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tampa-cremation for the family.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Audrey on September 30th, 2023 from 2pm to 5pm at the Pasadena Yacht and Country Club, 6300 Pasadena Point Blvd S, Gulfport, Florida 33707. Donations can be made in Audrey’s name in leu of flowers to the Suncoast Hospice at SuncoastHospiceFoundation.org or the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation at https://netrf.org