Audrey R. (Conarton) Cordano
Mason, MI
Family, friends, flowers, food, and fun were some of the staples of Audrey Conarton Cordano’s life.
In her 90s, Audrey told us she wanted to live to be 100—and she did. She died peacefully on September 10, 2026, at 100 years, one month, and five days old.
Audrey grew up in Lansing, Michigan, and was the youngest of five children. She remained close to her older siblings and their children throughout her life. Family was always at the center of Audrey’s world.
During World War II Audrey supported the war effort by working as a Rosie the Riveter.
An avid bird watcher, Audrey loved identifying and keeping track of the many birds that visited her feeders. She loved flowers and gardening and had a special affection for animals, particularly the cats and dogs that were part of her life over the years.
Audrey also loved preparing and sharing food with friends, neighbors, and relatives. After her children were grown and left home, she continued cooking and serving meals and snacks to the people she loved well into her 90s. Her kindness extended beyond her family, and she was known for caring for friends and neighbors and sharing what she had with others.
Audrey was famous for her annual Christmas Eve open house, when her home was filled with family, friends, food, love, and laughter. She was a true matriarch in every sense of the word—the heart of her family, creating traditions and memories that spanned generations. She took tremendous pride in her family and remained deeply involved in their lives. Many of the traditions she began, and the memories she created, will live on through the generations that follow her.
Audrey’s husband, Bob, died in 1976, when she was just 50 years old. After working through her grief, Audrey embraced her independence and continued to build a full and adventurous life. She traveled with her sister Virglynn, her cousin Helen Sippel, and sometimes her sister-in-law Jean Cordano. Audrey loved travel adventures across the country with her children to Colorado, Alaska, Beaver Island, and California. Her favorite trip was to Ireland with her daughter Julie and son Scot.
Audrey’s boundless energy could be seen throughout her life—in her gardening, decades of water aerobics, sewing, bicycle rides, canning, mushrooming, berry picking, and her willingness to join almost any family adventure. Whether it was a trip to the beach, a picnic, a bike ride, or a day of boating, Audrey was ready to go.
Audrey’s Grandson Nicolas shared many special things with her, being spoiled by her as her only Grandson. One of the yearly traditions they shared was making Thanksgiving Pumpkin pie together. Nic mastered pie making and in her later years was able to help Audrey with the pie making. When living a few blocks from her, he made numerous trips to her house to be her tech person and fix her TV.
Her love of sewing became another way she connected with the generations that followed her. She made clothes for her children, quilts for countless friends and family, Halloween costumes with her grandson Nic and shared her love and knowledge of sewing with her granddaughter Abi.
Even in her final years, Audrey lived with energy, determination, and a fierce drive to maintain her independence.
Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Cordano; her parents, Lois and Virgil Conarton; her siblings, Lester Conarton (Helen), Marjorie Ellis (Jack), Elwon Conarton (Eleanor), and Virgilynn Nethaway (Bill); Bob’s brother, Waldo Cordano (Jean); and her son-in-law, Tom Kelenske.
She is survived by her children, Colleen Kelenske, Andrea “Andee” Cordano and her husband, Tom Plawman, Julie Cordano, and Scot Cordano and his wife, Michelle; her grandson, Nicolas; step granddaughter, Abi; and many other step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
A gathering of family and friends and will take place at a later date.
Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel.
