Dr. Audrey M. Parker, BHS 1924

Audrey M. Parker died December 30, 2002, in San Diego. She was 95, and lived a life well in advance of her times. Dr. Parker was born November 7, 1907, in Des Moines, Iowa, the oldest child of Leslie and Lura Parker. She was raised in Southern California. She graduated Occidental College in 1929, and afterward taught fourth grade in Glendale.

She joined the Navy as a lieutenant in 1943. She served as assistant to the superintendent of aviation training in Jacksonville, Fla., and was commended upon her discharge in 1946. In 1948, she took a position as dean of women at Bethany College in West Virginia. She then moved to Ohio Wesleyan University, where she served as dean of women from 1949 to 1963. Dr. Parker earned her Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1955. Soon after, she spent a year in Scandinavia studying women's education. Dr. Parker returned to California in 1963, as dean of women at California Western University. She retired in the mid-1970s. Dr. Parker was a member of the San Diego Historical Society and the American Association of University Women.

She traveled extensively and spent time with many close friends and family. Dr. Parker is survived by her niece, Jeni Booth; nephews, Bruce Parker and David Parker; sister-in-law Janet Parker; great-nieces Sarah Lewis, Claire Chapman, Laurie Parker and Aimee Booth; great-nephews Darren Parker, Brent Parker and Kenny Booth; and two great-great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Parker; nephew Gary Parker; and great-nephew Seth Parker. At Dr. Parker's request, no services were held.

Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on Jan. 26, 2003.