Audrey Rae Bertsch

Audrey Rae Bertsch, 90, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026. Born on May 16, 1935, in Easton, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late David and Teresa Hofschild. Audrey graduated from Easton Area High School in 1952 and later pursued additional coursework at several colleges in the Lehigh Valley.

She shared 46 years of marriage with her husband, Richard E. Bertsch, until his passing in 2002. Together they raised four daughters: Kathleen Evans (William) of Highland Village, Texas; the late Camilla Philippi (Richard) of Center Valley; Julia Visnov (Richard) of Dresher, Pennsylvania; and Tracy Lilly (Matthew) of New Freedom, Pennsylvania. Audrey is survived by nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Faith and the church community were central to Audrey’s life. She began her career as a church secretary and youth group leader, then joined Lutheran Services of the Lehigh Valley as Coordinator of Volunteers, where she developed programs for youth preparing for confirmation. She later served as Director of the former Bethlehem Area Council of Churches and worked as a social worker for the Bethlehem Salvation Army until her retirement.

In retirement, Audrey remained deeply involved in her church, participating in many social and ministry activities and serving as a Eucharistic Minister. She found quiet joy in reading, sewing, and gardening, and was a devoted follower of Phillies baseball and Penn State football.