Obituary of Audrey Luthman

Audrey Marie Luthman of Arlington, VA, passed away on October 26, 2023, at 84. She was born in Washington, DC, on December 6, 1939, to Charles Edward Schafer and Pauline Elizabeth Schafer. After her parents’ death, she was raised by her brother James. She lived in DC and Virginia until graduating from George Mason High School in 1957. 

Audrey married John Patrick Luthman on September 22, 1962. They have celebrated 61 years together. During their years, they lived in Alexandria before arriving in Arlington.

Audrey joined the (Falls Church) Police Force in 1971. Due to a shortage, she became a ‘temporary’ crossing guard in 1971, and it stuck. Then Audrey enjoyed her job so much that she almost forgot to retire, but she finally did in 2021 after serving for 50 years. She and her best friend Janet Haines, also a crossing guard of 52 years, were honored for their dedication and given the title of Grand Marshals of the 2013 Falls Church Memorial Parade, which was eight years before she retired! The highlight of her job was the children.

Audrey is survived by her loving husband John, sons Joseph Patrick Luthman and James Allen Luthman, nieces Jean Schafer and Marge Bradley, nephew John “Buddy” Schafer, a cousin Marlene Bettis, grandchildren Ashleigh Hackett-Luthman, Zoe Luthman, Noelle Luthman, Ryder Luthman, Quinn Smith-Luthman, Kari Luthman, and great-grandchildren Jocelyn, Levi, Toren, Theo, and Esmae, and other loving family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Doris Elizabeth Schafer and James Albert “Peck” Schafer, Joseph Edward Schafer, and her daughter Ann Marie Luthman (June 18, 1969 - January 9, 2019).

The date of the memorial service will be announced later by son James.