Audrey Langhorne Obituary

Audrey A. Langhorne (née Hilton), age 84, of West Chester, PA passed away at Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA on May 20, 2021, due to complications associated with a cardiac condition.

Born April 28, 1937, Audrey was raised in West Chester and is a graduate of West Chester Joint High School (now B. Reed Henderson High School). She also completed some coursework at Harcum College [Bryn Mawr, PA].

Audrey’s mantra was “Enjoy!” and she tried to live that every day. She was a lady of style who enjoyed well-made clothing and shoes. As a young lady, she practiced ballet under the tutelage of Marion Cuyjet (during the pre-civil rights period, Madame Cuyjet was a pioneer in dance education who established one of the first dance institutions in the U.S. that provided classical ballet training for African American dancers). Audrey described this experience as formative and a kind of finishing school. This experience gave her a broad interest to become a patron of the arts to include ballet, opera, plays, and jazz. She took this passion further to encourage her family to learn and play instruments. In her 60s, Audrey took her own advice and pursued flute lessons.  

Her exposure to the arts opened up the world to her. She obtained a passport and made frequent trips abroad to Europe and the Caribbean. As a result of her travels, she became quite the foodie with a range of tastes from a fine meal to a Philadelphia Cheesesteak. 

She was an avid reader and advocate for lifelong learning for herself, her family, and really anyone she came in contact with. She was liked to encourage others to become the best version of themselves. Additionally, she loved being in nature and frequented Longwood Gardens.

She was a career woman and started working as a medical assistant at the Army’s Valley Forge General Hospital [Phoenixville, PA], and provided convalescent care to Service Members. While working in the orthopedic ward, she caught the eye of Army Specialist 4, Albert G. Langhorne, III [of Lynchburg, VA]., who was recovering from his wounds sustained in the Vietnam War. They married and initially made a home together in Downingtown, PA. Albert would become the stepfather to Audrey’s son, Conrad; and together they had a daughter, Wistar. They then went on to be longtime residents of West Chester, PA. 

For a brief period, Audrey switched her career focus and became a telephone switchboard operator for Bell Telephone and the Mickey Rooney’s Tabas Hotel [Downingtown, PA]. However, her affinity for the medical field re-emerged and she dedicated her energy to the role as a Certified Health Unit Coordinator (CHUC) -- working for Chester County Hospital [West Chester, PA], Montgomery Hospital [Norristown, PA], and retired from Human Services [West Chester, PA]. Because of her expertise as a CHUC, she became a contributing author to a medical textbook.

Audrey is survived by her: 

Brother: Dr. O. William Hilton, Jr., of Newport, RI; 
Daughter: Captain Wistar A. Langhorne Hardison (United States Navy, Retired) of Manassas, VA., (and her spouse, Dr. R. Damion Hardison); 
Two nieces: Carmenlita Hampton Scott and Karen Hilton Gallimore;
Four nephews: Allen Johnson, Rhone Johnson, Hugh Hampton, Gary Hampton, George Hampton;
Daughter-in-law, Marie Hilton of Harrisburg, PA;

Four grandchildren: Felicia A. Hilton, Latoya T. Hilton, 

 Scott E. Rhodes, and Noah L. Rhodes; 
Great-granddaughter: Malala R. Thompson; and 
a host of loving relatives and friends.  

Audrey was predeceased by her: 

Parents: Odie W. Hilton, Sr., and Lillie B. Hilton; 
Husband: Albert G. Langhorne, III; 
Son: Conrad A. Hilton;
Sisters: Jane C. Hampton (and her spouse, George Hampton) and Mary L. McGill (and her spouse, Robert McGill); and 
Sister-in-law: Imogene H. Hilton.

If you’re able to attend, Audrey would want you to know that her favorite color is blue, she loved butterflies, and she would want you to “enjoy” and truly celebrate her life.

 

Instead of flowers and in remembrance of Audrey’s life, the family asks that charitable donations be made to the West Chester Public Library; for information on how to make your donation, please visit:  https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/WestChesterPublicLibrary/WCPLgiving.html; or mail your contribution in the memory of Audrey Langhorne via personal check to the West Chester Public Library, 415 N. Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380; phone: 

(610) 696-1721.