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Audrey Newcomer, CA, the Director of Archives and Records for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and a dear friend and colleague passed away on December 5, 2012 after suffering a massive stroke. Audrey was a wonderful human being and a consummate archivist and records manager, and her loss has shocked and deeply saddened all who knew her.
Audrey started her career in the medical library field at the Washington University School of Medicine Library and in 1981 she moved to the University of Nebraska Medical Center as the Associate Director for Technical Services at McGoogan Library of Medicine. In 1991 Audrey became the Director of the Library of Medical Studies at the University of Arkansas, holding that post until 1996. She then moved to St. Louis University as the Director of the Health Sciences Library, where she stayed until 2001. In December 2001 Audrey moved into the position at the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
There was a period of time between Audrey’s leaving St. Louis University and her new position at the Archdiocese, and during that time Audrey returned to the Medical Library at Washington University School of Medicine to work on a grant project from the Regional Medical Library program – coordinated by the National Library of Medicine.
During her tenure at the Archdiocese of St. Louis Audrey was a very active member of both the Archives and Records Management communities. Audrey was a member of the Society of American Archivists, Association of Records Managers and Administrators, Association of Catholic Diocesan Archivists, Midwest Archives Conference, St. Louis Area Religious Archivists, and the Association of St. Louis Area Archivists and held leadership positions in many of these groups over the years. As an SAA member Audrey was active in both the Business Archives and Archivists of Religious Collections sections.
Audrey not only was a Certified Archivist but was working on becoming a Certified Records Manager, completing five of the six parts of the CRM exam.
Audrey had also just completed work on the second edition of Managing Diocesan Archives and Records: A Guide for Bishops, Chancellors, and Archivists with John (Jac) Treanor (Vice Chancellor, Archdiocese of Chicago) and Emilie Leumas (Director of Archives and Record, Archdiocese of New Orleans). The book is due out in early 2013.
I will dearly miss Audrey along with a great many others that knew her. Now we need to carry on inspired by her passion and commitment to the profession. I know Audrey inspired me and that I am a better archivist, and person, for knowing her.
I encourage you to visit Audrey's obituary and online memorial book to learn more about her and the wonderful person she was.
Thanks to Philip Skroska at the Becker Medical Library at Washington University and the Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association for providing information on Audrey’s medical library career.
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