Audrey Irene (Harden) Payson

Audrey Irene [Harden] Payson was born on the first day, of the first month, of the year 1939 to Rachel Ann Painter and Raymond Thomas Harden in Havana, Mason County, Illinois.  She left this earth on November 11, 2021 to dance in the heavens with her husband, Donald, who preceded her in death in 2009.

Always a love for life and new adventures, after graduating from Nursing School in Springfield, Illinois, she left home to discover the world, ending up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

She married her husband of 42 years, Donald P. Payson, USAF [Ret.] in 1967 and travelled the world with him, living in Spain, Turkey, Germany, and England to name a few.  They retired from the armed forces and returned to Albuquerque to raise their two children, Donald Bryan Payson and Sarah Rachel [Payson] Beasley.

Over the years her family grew to include a son – in – law, Jimmie P Beasley II, daughter-in-law Liz [Rosen] Payson, and granddaughter Sydne Lockwood and Nyah Rosen, welcoming great grandson Ari David in 2013.

Audrey worked as a post-operative nurse for 50 years, eventually retiring from Presbyterian and the Veterans’ Regional Hospital in New Mexico.  Retirement, it turned out, was not for her.  She returned to work and continued to help the sick and ailing until 2004, then continuing on with volunteer work using her healthcare knowledge to help the less fortunate.

Once officially learning to embrace retirement, she tried her hand at acting, joining the Rio Grande Radio Players, reenacting the Golden Age of Radio shows of days gone by to crowds of Senior Citizens and educating young folks on life before the internet and television.

Audrey always wore a smile and had a Good Morning for everyone – even if it was noon.  She loved her hats, her friends, and most of all her family. 

She is survived by her sisters Sandra Cluney of Topeka, Illinois, and Barbara Belles, of Covington, Georgia.

We will be saying goodbye to an amazing wife, mother, sister, and friend on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm in the Reflection of Life® Chapel of Reflections Funerals & Life Celebrations/Salazar Funeral Homes & Crematory located at 2400 Washington St. NE, 87110.

Audrey's Life Celebration will be live-streamed on Reflections' Facebook Page. You DO NOT need a Facebook account to view the live-stream. Please click the link below at the scheduled time.

In keeping with her love and passion for giving, she requested non-perishable food items be donated at the services.  These will be given to fixed income seniors in need of assistance.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Audrey Irene (Harden) Payson, please visit our floral store.