Audrey Alice Stone, 99, of Fernandina Beach, Florida passed away on November 30, 2024 after a brief illness, 15 days before her 100th birthday at River City Nursing and Rehab Center in Jacksonville, Florida.

Born on December 15, 1924 in Union City, New Jersey, she was the only child of the late Michael and Alma Madigan .

She grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey attending a Lutheran church there she often spoke of that she enjoyed during much of her childhood. In those days and being an only child; church was very important. She graduated from Union City High School. After graduating she was sent to secretarial school. Later she married Harold Dieckman, an Army Corporal in the Pentagon Signal Corps. They later welcomed three children into their life, Carl William, Jane Audrey and Kathleen Edith.


Kathy and Jane remember a wonderful childhood growing up in Lake Mohawk, New Jersey. Swim teams, ski teams, dancing lessons etc. They attended school there through high school before moving to Florida. Audrey was very passionate about serving on the Sparta School Board, an elected position that she loved and was proud of being one of her most wonderful times and accomplishments in life.

After 25 years of marriage unfortunately a divorce came moving Audrey and girls to Sarasota, Florida. Audrey had worked in banking where after only five years she became Vice President of Sarasota Bank and Trust Co. for a woman in 1969 that was quite an accomplishment.

Her children and grandchildren remember her as a strong, determined, loving mother/grandmother who always encouraged them to pursue their goals, take care of their health and get a good education. She was so proud of them all. Family meant everything.

Audrey later moved to Fernandina Beach in 1981, at the time had remarried in 1969 to Daniel Stone. They resided here owning “Smoke Signals” a pipe and tobacco shop on Centre Street for many years.

Audrey enjoyed volunteering here in her community. She was a long time volunteer at Baptist Hospital. She also volunteered at the ACT community theatre assisting in the building of the new theatre. She loved the Amelia Island Museum where she volunteered in the gift shop. All of this brought her the distinguished 2010 Elsie Harper Award. She was also passionate about the Annual Dog Show, the Kentucky Derby and football!!

She is predeceased in death by her son, Carl Dieckman, U.S. Army and her husband, Daniel R. Stone, US Navy.

She leaves behind her daughters, Kathleen Maurer (late William Maurer) of Fernandina Beach and Jane Simmons (William) of Newton, New Jersey. Adored grandchildren, Jennean Veale (Cliff) of New Jersey, Marcus (Aimee) Shively of Yulee and Adam Shively of Fernandina Beach. Stepson, Kenny Denham of Alexandria, Virginia. Many, many great grandchildren whom she’d never forget a birthday.

She will be laid to rest at Sparta Presbyterian Methodist Cemetery in Sparta, New Jersey. There is no service planned at this time. A celebration of her life is planned in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her favorite charity, St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.