Parcourez la nécrologie de Watson nee Falls Audrey Marguerite 2023 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles
Watson (nee Falls), Audrey Marguerite
We lost a remarkably resilient, kind and caring friend to all when Audrey Marguerite Watson died peacefully in Meaford General Hospital on Sunday, August 20th, 2023 in her 97th year. She was the last of her generation of the Falls family from Rocklyn.
Audrey was predeceased by two children, Robert and Leslie Watson, two husbands, Don Watson and Dave Vaughan, brother Ellwood Falls (Gwen), sisters Mylrea Gilchrist (Hugh) and Jeannette Udell/Foster (Jack Udell and Jim Foster) and step-daughter Nancy Vaughan. She is survived by nieces Sharon Falls (Bing Mark, deceased), Rhonda Bott (Dale), Jeannette Platt (Tom), Susan Macdonald (Colin), Nancy Hall (Brian), nephew Grant Gilchrist (Neisha), stepdaughters Carole (Tim Mulroy) and Susan Vaughan and multiple great nieces and nephews, step-grand and great grandchildren.
Audrey will be remembered for her resilience in the face of overwhelming sadness, her joy for living fully and well, and her caring and empathy for all. She had a timeless way about her and an interest in the world that never waivered. Age wasn’t a barrier to friendships as people of all walks of life and those very young to very old were drawn into her orbit. Her friendships were long lasting and deep, and just so important to her. She seldom lost touch with dear friends even when they moved to the other side of the world. That was just an invitation to visit a new place…and get a good long-distance plan.
Audrey was the first born of Stewart and Aulda Falls, growing up on the farm just north of Rocklyn with her brother and two sisters. She had no interest in farmwork or household chores and took every opportunity to hide away with a book – dreaming of people and places far away. As soon as she turned 16, Audrey left for Toronto in a stock truck (with her mother crying by her side). Those early days were challenging – if she left, her father wouldn’t provide any help – so needed to work as many jobs as possible to make ends meet. In one case, two jobs at the Royal York Hotel couldn’t have been more different. First, Audrey sweated in the basement laundry, then changed to sing with a big band upstairs in the Imperial Room…the hotel’s main dancing hotspot.
After the war, she met Don Watson, a recent immigrant from England. Their marriage set the stage for a strong connection to that country and new set of life-long friends. They bought a house in The Beach, where Audrey would be a fixture for over 40 years. The early times were fun as friends and family filled the house for dinners and parties. Very difficult times followed as first Bobby, Don and then Leslie died.
She dealt with the overwhelming sadness by turning grief into action. Audrey honoured the short lives of her children by helping others who faced similar situations. After Bobby died, she worked for Surrey Place, a centre for research and assistance to families with mentally disabled children. Audrey became volunteer co-ordinator and provided direct support for families stressed in caring for their children.
After the death of her daughter, Leslie, Audrey was again searching for help. She found it with Bereaved Families. People worked through their grief in groups, attempting to learn how to live with searing heartbreak. She later volunteered as a group leader for many years, eventually taking a full-time job with the organization.
In the following years, friends and work were the cornerstones of her life. She found a great new friend in Topsy, who had recently lost her husband, and together they set out on numerous adventures over many, many years. Audrey was a great cook and entertained often, pulling her disparate groups of friends together. Her door was always open to those who needed a sympathetic ear or a place to stay for a night or more. She never lost her love of reading and, as her world inevitably narrowed, she devoured at least two books per week, two newspapers daily, always working the sudoku puzzles. Her mind was sharp and opinions, particularly on politics, sharper, to the end.
Travel was always a passion. She travelled the world with friends and to see friends – going to places she could only dream about as a girl. England was her favorite and most visited place but Australia, Tahiti and Hungary behind the Iron Curtain were early adventures, all before these were easy trips to make.
In her early 60s, she got the chance for a second act and second love with Dave Vaughan. Dave and Audrey met as teenagers at their first jobs and remained friends throughout their marriages to others. Sparks flew when they got together and they were married within a few short months, announcing their new lives together with a big party.
Audrey and Dave had a wonderful adventure together for 32 years. They shared a passion for traveling and once circled the globe in a single trip, visiting friends at each stop. Florida was their winter home for many years and again they made good friends where ever they went.
Audrey had declared that she would never come back to Meaford. The family was astonished when she and Dave bought a condo on the harbour, first as a weekend place and later as their full-time home. The condo was her home to the end. She missed her Toronto friends terribly but became even closer to her sister Jeannette and, true to character, found many new friends.
In the last years of her life, Audrey forged wonderful relationships with fellow condo dwellers, within the United Church and various local organizations. These wonderful people supported her whole heartedly and helped her stay in her home to the very end. Special thanks to Sandy Barker, Alma Rennie and Wayne Brown.
In the end, she said she was a very lucky woman being blessed by great friends, caring family and wonderful adventures in her life. Resilience best describes Audrey’s approach to life. She faced heart wrenching times with a courage that most of us can barely imagine. Yet through it all, always chose to look on the bright side and live life to the fullest. That’s what we will remember.
The family wants to thank Dr. Bryan Recoskie and April, the caring nurses and doctors at the Meaford Hospital, the good friends and in-home caregivers who helped keep Audrey in her own home to the end.
A Celebration of Audrey’s Life will be held at the Meaford Town Hall Galleries on Friday, September 11, 2023 from 2 until 4 p.m., with tributes shared at 3 p.m.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Meaford Hospital Foundation or Bereaved Families of Ontario would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
Details
A Celebration of Audrey’s Life will be held at the Meaford Town Hall Galleries on Friday, September 11, 2023 from 2 until 4 p.m., with tributes shared at 3 p.m.
Make a donation in memory of Audrey Marguerite Watson (nee Falls)
Donations: Meaford Hospital Foundation or Bereaved Families of Ontario
Donate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
2023
Décès pour la Ville:Meaford, Province: Ontario
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nécrologie Watson nee Falls Audrey Marguerite 2023
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