Audrey Caroline Balassie

Loving wife and mother and kind friend, Audrey Caroline Balassie died in peace at the age of 96 on April 15, 2024, at home in Bennington, Vermont. She was born Audrey Martin on July 19, 1927, in Stamford, Connecticut, the younger of two daughters of Philip and Alice Martin.

Audrey attended local schools in Stamford and upon graduation went to work for Conde Nast. During this time she embarked on a blind date that would change her trajectory when she met the love of her life, her late husband, Eugene Balassie. After marrying they moved to the Midwest for a period of years and went on to have four children and a happy, active life.

Audrey loved being a homemaker and raising kids. She also loved to sing and dance, to garden and read, to drive fast, get a great tan and play a tough game of bridge. Her quick wit and love of conversation never failed. She had a great eye for design, transforming each of their homes through the years into places of beauty and comfort.

But above all was Audrey’s ability to make everyone she met feel special. Her unfailing kindness and genuine empathy quickly turned strangers into friends. And her charity and desire to help others meant that even people who had never heard of her had their lives touched and bettered by her kindness. A big supporter of The Vermont Food Bank, Second Chance, Bennington Blooms and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Audrey sought to make her community and the lives of everyone around her better.

Audrey’s family will miss her terribly. She was predeceased by her husband, Eugene Balassie, and by her sister, Muriel McCallum. She leaves four children, Kim Likakis (John) of Bennington, Tad Balassie (Claudia Hennen) of Sanibel, FL, Tim Balassie (Catherine) of St. Charles, IL, and Kate Balassie (Chuck Suss) of Woodford, VT. She also leaves two beloved grandchildren, Madeline Balassie of Bonita Springs, FL, and Lane Balassie of Elgin, IL.

At Audrey’s request there will be no services. If you desire, please give to a cause of your choice in her memory.

Her family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to everyone who helped and supported Audrey during her last days.