Audrey  E. Dowling

Obituary
of
Audrey Ellen Driscoll Dowling
November 18, 1946 – February 22, 2017

On Wednesday, February 22, 2017, the clouds seemed to roll in as a gentle rain began to fall. Surrounded by her loving family, Audrey was lifted to heaven into the arms of her awaiting loved ones. A new Angel had gained her wings.

Mrs. Audrey Ellen Driscoll Dowling, daughter of Mary Maklary Howard and the late Henry Driscoll, was born November 18, 1947 in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Audrey was the second oldest of her six siblings, Robert, Audrey, David, Madeline, Denise, and Victor.

Audrey was married to Walter J. Bohacek, Sr. in a church wedding in 1965. Later that year, they had their first daughter, Paula. Sadly, she only lived a day before she passed away due to delivery complications. In 1967 they welcomed their first son, Walter (Joe) Jr; in 1969 they welcomed their second son, Mark; in 1972 they welcomed their second daughter, Denise; and in 1973 they welcomed their third daughter, Lisa. They moved their family from the cold freezing weather in of Michigan to the sunny sun shine state of Florida in 1978.

When she was in her late teens, Audrey attended beauty school and worked as a beautician at her Aunt’s shop. Shortly after that, she began to start her family. She had little time to work while raising her four young children; however, she found work at short term jobs until she began to work full time as a waitress at the local Wags Restaurant. During this time, she met her future husband, John, and a few years later they were married. At the age of forty, Audrey worked very hard to achieve her GED and went on to earn her Certified Nursing Assistance Certificate. Empowered with her new knowledge, she became a Dialysis technician during the week and worked double shifts as a private duty nurse on the weekends.

Audrey and John met in September 1981 and were married on September 14, 1984. Soon after they were married, they purchased a home and together they raised her four children. John was very supportive of Audrey’s dreams of becoming a nurse and whatever else she desired to do as a career.

Audrey was a very loveable woman who adored her husband and children. At times she needed to use tough love with her children, but that’s just a part of raising strong children into strong adults. Audrey became a grandmother at the young age of forty. Audrey loved her family very much and she always felt that her family should be very close to one another. She embraced her children’s Indian heritage background. She would attend Indian Pow wows and would take her grandchildren along with her. The Tribes would embrace her grandchildren and include them in the dancing during the shows. Her children and grandchildren remember her most for her loving hugs, her saying, “I love you” all the time, her kisses on their foreheads, and placing a protection cross on their heads. Her grandchildren have fun and fond memories with her, which included giving them good advice, always being there for them, and baking lots of goodies when they were younger,
She was her family’s biggest cheerleader and she was the center of their world.

She will forever be cherished, loved, and missed in the lives that she left behind. She is survived by her loving husband John J. Dowling III; son, Mark Bohacek; daughter, Denise (Robert) Bohacek Wittmann; daughter, Lisa (Norberto) Bohacek Villordo; daughter-in-law, Sara (Walter Jr.) Bohacek; mother, Mary Maklary Howard; brother, Robert (Diane) Driscoll; sister, Madeline (Craig) Schultz Thulin; sister, Denise (Jeffery) Driscoll Wilton; brother, Victor Schultz: father-in-law John J. Dowling Jr.; sister-in-law Joan (Alan) DiStefano, Janice (Michael) Flanagan along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Survived by her grandchildren: Mercedes Bohacek, Austin Bohacek, Rebecca-Jo Bohacek, Christian Bohacek, Kayla Bohacek, Christopher Bohacek, Devin Harvey, Raine Millege, River Bohacek, Robert Wittmann II, Leighanne Wittmann, Mark J. Bohacek, Audrianna Bohacek, Emma Bohacek. Great-grandchildren, Luke Bohacek and Macy Bohacek.

She was preceded in death by daughter, Paula Bohacek, son, Walter J. Bohacek, Jr, grandchild, Mark A. Bohacek, Jr., father, Henry Driscoll; stepfather, Bill Howard; brother, David Driscoll, mother-in-law, Joan Dowling, brother-in-law James Dowling, and Walter J. Bohacek, Sr. (Father of her children).

There was no limit to what Audrey wouldn’t do for her family. She loved each and every one of them until her very last breath and that love will continue even through death and eternity. Our mother is finally at rest, she’s at peace and no longer in pain. She will forever be missed and loved. She will always walk beside us even when we’re not aware. She will look over us all as she always has.

This is not Good Bye Mommy, this is only Good Night.
Until we see each other again. We love you…

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 2nd, 2017 from 6:00PM-8:00PM, at Serenity Memorial Chapels, located at 5229 Coconut Creek Parkway, Margate, Florida 33063 (754)205-4640.

Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.