Audrey Naseibe Kalliel age 85, died peacefully on October 2, 2026, while her sons embraced her.

Audrey is survived by her beloved sons Gregory (Muna) Wells and David Wells. Loving grandmother of Kareem, Sarah, and Hannah. Audrey is preceded in death by her cherished daughter Cheryl Lapensee (Dennis), her parents Alex and Haji Najla Kalliel and her siblings, Eddie, Marion, Ray, Monera, and Nora. Audrey was the last survivor of her immediate family.

Audrey was born on April 17, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was a devoted Muslim. The youngest of six children, Audrey was independent, dignified, strong, and relentless, traits she inherited from her father. She was a young teenager when she had her first job in a shoe repair shop in Lincoln Park, Michigan. Audrey worked various jobs during her career. At her second job, her doting father would often bring her lunch, an affectionate gesture that Audrey would recall. She was a proud Teamster and UAW member, and she attended community college, earned certificates, and received specialized training along the way.

She had to succeed because, by herself and as a young woman, Audrey was raising three very young children. For her entire life she loved, inspired, encouraged, and assisted them, and she demanded that they be confident, well-educated, and self-reliant adults. She was a fierce protector of her kids, and that love and sacrifice earned her their unquestioned love, devotion, and support.

Audrey cherished her parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, cousins, and life-long friends. She always took time to visit when she could or to call everyone on her endless phone lists. Audrey missed and regularly spoke of those who had died before her, particularly her beloved Cheryl, who was the spirit of the family.

When referring to her own mother, Audrey loved the saying, “A mother is a mother still, the holiest thing alive.” Audrey’s children unreservedly shout the same sentiment for her.

Visitation will be on Monday, October 5, 2026, from 10:00 – 11:00 am at John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 N. Inkster Rd, Garden City (between Ford Road and Cherry Hill). Family Service will start at 11:00 am. Graveside service will be at 1:00 pm at Roseland Park Cemetery, 29001 Woodward Ave, Berkley, MI 48072.