The Legacy of my Great Aunt Audrey: A Life of Letters, Love, and Lasting Inspiration
When I think about the origin story of Alison Rose Vintage, my Great Aunt Audrey’s name deserves to be etched in stone at the very beginning. She was more than a relative—she was my first pen-pal, my confidant and cheerleader, and a lifelong example of thoughtfulness and connection.
According to my baby book, Aunt Audrey was at the hospital the day I was born. I often wonder if our bond began that day. But if not then, I’m certain it began when I was 9 years old at my Great Grandpa’s funeral.
I simply adored him and remember kneeling at his casket in tears. Aunt Audrey knelt beside me, comforting me. I didn’t realize at the time that we were there to say goodbye to her father too since he was just ‘Grandpa' to me. She had a gift for connecting with young people like me, for being curious about my life and making me feel seen and heard. From that day on, she became one of the most important people in my life.
When I moved from West Virginia to Ohio at 11 years old, we began writing letters back and forth. What started as a way to stay in touch became a nearly 30-year tradition. We sent long letters, cards, postcards, and little gifts to each other. She kept every single one. Her daughter told me they’ll be passed along to me soon—an archive of nearly 30 years of my life in letters!
Her handwriting and cute little heart-face drawings became one of the most familiar and comforting sights in my mailbox.
Even as technology changed how we communicate, we stuck to pen and paper. She once wrote “Electronics feel so cold when it comes to sharing life with the ones we care about.”
She didn’t just skim my letters—she paid close attention. She never let me get away with hiding anything. If I hadn’t written in awhile or seemed off, she would call me and say, “you’re not telling me something.” And she was usually right.
She remembered every birthday and milestone, not just for me, but for everyone in her life. As her daughter wrote in her obituary, “The greeting card industry owes her a debt of gratitude as she never missed birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions with a card and personal note. She signed her last card just a week before her passing.”
Our connection directly shaped this business. The soul of Alison Rose Vintage—the joy of greeting cards, the comfort of a handwritten letter, the power of words to reach across a long distance—is deeply rooted in our correspondence and the love we passed back and forth over the years.
She would often write things like, "your cards always make me feel better," or, "My Sweet Ali, What a beautiful and thoughtful gift from my beautiful and thoughtful niece! You will never know how you touch my heart - just knowing you think of your old Aunt."
So much of what I create now—cards that carry heartfelt words, prints that offer comfort or gratitude, books that feel like treasures—is inspired by her and a continuation of what she taught me. That thoughtfulness is worth the effort. Connection matters. Writing something down, holding it in your hands, and sending it off with care can make someone’s day, or impact their entire life like it did mine.
Last year for her 100th birthday, she received over 300 birthday cards! They came from family, friends, children at local schools, and others who never met her but learned about her milestone celebration. It felt like a full-circle moment: this woman who had spent a century sending love out into the world was now receiving it back tenfold.
Just before I left for my recent trip to London and Paris, we spoke on the phone, and she asked me if I’d heard about Boop!, the new Betty Boop musical on Broadway. She knew I’d become obsessed with Broadway in the past year and wanted to make sure I had it on my radar since Betty Boop was her absolute favorite. Of course I just bought tickets to see the show in September in her honor!
She passed away on April 11th, 2025, just hours after my Mom visited her and told her I made it home safely from my trip. Even at the very end, she was thinking of others, keeping track, making sure we were okay.
Thank you, Aunt Audrey, for showing me what love is. Thank you for the letters, the stories, your beautiful brooches, the memories, and the gentle reminder to show up for the people you love. I will carry you with me always—in every envelope I seal, every handwritten note I send, and every time I get to make someone feel a little more loved.
Audrey Elizabeth Ciripompa
December 29th, 1924 – April 11th, 2025
With love,
Alison Rose
Social media: @alisonrosevintage
Shop: alisonrosevintage.com
Comments on this post (5)
Alison the tribute to Aunt Audrey is absolutely amazing you were so blessed to have that kind of relationship with her the memories will remain in your heart for ever cherish those memories they will be with you always
— Mike Scarnecchia
Alison
Absolutely beautiful your writing always touches my heart. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers always.
With love and in Friendship
Alesia
— Alesia Truxell
Beautiful tribute to your Aunt Audrey! You now have a very special angel always watching over you.
So sorry for such a beautiful loss.
— Catherine Gibson
What a lovely story you wrote about your Aunt. You were both so very lucky to have loved each other so very much and to have shared such a beautiful relationship. I too am blessed with a beautiful niece and we share a bond ever since she was born. She is my sister’s daughter and since I only have sons she promised to share her with me and made good on her promise! Her name is Hope and she is beautiful inside and out. I am the lucky one for sure. I’m so sorry for your loss however your Aunt is now your personal guardian angel. Linda Hamalian
— Linda Hamalian
Dear Alison,
I’m so sorry to hear about your Aunt Audrey. Your tribute to her is beautiful to honor her life of 100 years where she always shared her special love to everyone. ❤️🙏🏻
— Linda Gillespie