Audrey Russell Reith, 87, of Concord, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2024 with family by her side.
Born in New York, New York on January 22, 1937, Audrey was a proud fifth-generation New Yorker. She attended the Lenox School and then Wellesley College.
Her career began in cancer research at Pfizer in Hackensack, New Jersey. She then headed to Los Angeles, California, in 1960 where she stayed in the cancer research field at UCLA before shifting careers into computers and earning a master’s degree in Computer Science in 1975.
She worked for Xerox Data Systems in Los Angeles in the late 1960s and 70s where she would meet a younger computer engineer named Richard “Dick” Hustvedt who would later become her husband. In 1975, they both accepted positions with Digital Equipment Corporation, relocating cross country to Concord, where their new chapter raising two sons began.
Audrey worked for 27 years at DEC, which would later become part of Hewlett-Packard, as a computer engineering manager. She worked on many of the company’s notable projects, including the VAX 11/780, VAX 8800 and the groundbreaking 64-bit Alpha AXP Architecture.
Audrey was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, including teaching Sunday School at All Saints’ Beverly Hills and later a weekly volunteer at Trinity Episcopal Church in Concord.
Audrey was also a proud member of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association for over 65 years. Audrey was a voracious reader of books, particularly mysteries.
Those lucky enough to have known Audrey cherished her wry sense of humor, encyclopedic knowledge, and her ever-ready laugh.
She will be greatly missed and is survived by her son Eric Hustvedt and daughter-in-law Kristen McNeely-Shaw, granddaughter Ada, son Marc Hustvedt and daughter-in-law Carly Feingold, grandchildren Maverick and Edie, nieces, nephews and many friends. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all of Audrey’s caregivers for their dedication and compassion.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Audrey’s life during a memorial service at Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street, Concord on Saturday, March 23 at 11 am.
In a reflection of Audrey’s spirit of generosity, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pat Brody Shelter for Cats (www.catsontheweb.org) or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. For Audrey’s online guestbook and service live stream link, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
