Audrey McKenzie

Mar 24, 1940 -

Jul 19, 2026

Audrey (Boyce) McKenzie, born on March 24, 1940, in Williston, N.D., to Wayne and Violet Boyce, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska.

Audrey grew up on a farm outside of Williston along the Missouri River. As a young girl, she hauled water from the well, helped prepare meals over a wood-burning stove and learned the value of hard work and family. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade before her family moved into the city of Williston, where she graduated from Williston High School. Audrey did not have running water or electricity until she was 17 years old, experiences that shaped her strength, resilience and appreciation for life's simple blessings.

Shortly after high school, Audrey met her future husband, Vern McKenzie, after he drove by and splashed her and her friends with muddy water from a puddle. It took Vern some time to make up for ruining her dress, but eventually his charm won her over, beginning a love story that would last a lifetime.

In 1972, Audrey and Vern moved from North Dakota to Alaska, where they built a life together and raised their family.

Throughout her life, Audrey worked in a variety of professions, including as a cashier at Tastee Freeze, a telephone switchboard operator and a real estate agent. However, her greatest and most cherished role was that of devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Audrey loved sewing, bowling, curling, cooking and bringing family and friends together. Sunday dinners were a treasured tradition in her home and were held faithfully every week. This tradition continues in her honor. Her love, kindness and generosity knew no bounds. She welcomed everyone with an open heart, caring not only for her own family, but also for her children's friends and grandchildren's friends, whom she treated as if they were her own.

Audrey is survived by her loving husband, Vern McKenzie; their four children, Rocky, Ricky, Rusty and Robby; six grandchildren, Shawn, Brad, Russell, Nicole, Dakota and Jada; two great-grandchildren, Bowie and Brooks; and siblings, Judy Barbot, Greg and Doug Boyce.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Violet Boyce; and brothers, Loren (Butch) and Garth Boyce.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m., on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at The Chalet at Fox Hollow, 11701 Brayton Drive, Anchorage, AK 99516.

Audrey's warmth, unwavering love and generous spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

The family would like to thank Providence Hospital and Opus Memoria for the compassion and care they provided.