Audrey Russell Reith, of Concord, MA, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2024 with family by her side. She was 87.

Born in New York, NY on January 22, 1937, Audrey was a proud fifth-generation New Yorker and the beloved daughter of the late Edward and Helen (Machen) Reith, growing up on Riverside Drive on the Upper West Side. She attended the Lenox School, and then Wellesley College where she graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Zoology.

Her career began in cancer research at Pfizer in Hackensack, NJ. She then headed out west to Los Angeles, CA, 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 (XDS) 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 for 32 years until his passing in 2008. In 1975, they both accepted positions with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), relocating cross country to Concord, Massachusetts 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, where she retired in 2002. 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, MA.

Audrey was also a proud member of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association for over 65 years, and attended her most recent reunion in May 2023.

Audrey was a voracious reader of books, particularly mysteries. In retirement, she began attending Malice Domestic annual fan convention for traditional mysteries in Maryland. Malice became her second family, where she could be found tirelessly volunteering in the hospitality lounge or enjoying wine with friends at a table. In 2014, she was recognized as the Fan Guest of Honor.

Those lucky enough to have known Audrey cherished her wry sense of humor, encyclopedic knowledge, and her ever-ready laugh.

Audrey was preceded in death by her husband Richard "Dick" Hustvedt; her parents, Helen Machen Reith and Edward Reith, and her brother Edward Reith and sister-in-law Tempe Reith.

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 23rd at 11 am.  To attend the service remotely, please click here to access the church live stream .

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 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.