Audrey’s Obituary
Audrey was born in 1946 in the Berwyn Hospital, to Ruth (Coates) and Roy Gale. She grew up with two younger sisters on a farm in the Warrensville area, and took all her schooling in Grimshaw. She always had top marks, was editor of the school yearbook, and valedictorian of her graduating class.
Audrey attended the University of Alberta and graduated in 1969 with a degree in Recreation Administration. She had many positive traits such as self-motivation, integrity, good judgement, dependability and perseverance. These allowed her to hold a number of upper management positions during her working career.
Her first job was with the Claresholm & District Recreation. She helped initiate the first Southern Alberta Summer Games in 1971. Audrey was always a “Ford” girl and her first car was a pale yellow Ford Mustang.
Audrey returned to Grimshaw and served as the Recreation Director of the regional encompassing Grimshaw, Berwyn, and the Municipal District of Peace. She coordinated the first Peace Winter Games in 1973. She purchased a brand new brown fast-back Ford Mustang.
Her next position was for three years in the Village of Fort Nelson, B.C., as their Recreation Administrator, and was a Regional Director of the Northern B.C. Winter Games. For two years in the late 1970’s, Audrey worked at the Peace River Correctional Centre.
She loved county music – George Jones, Conway Twitty, and especially the Highwaymen – Waylon Jennings, Willlie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristopherson.
She dedicated six years to the Regional Family & Community Support Services in High Prairie, and four years with the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, in Ft. St. John, B.C., as their Social Development Consultant serving seven member Bands.
In 1991, Audrey began work with the Woodland Cree First Nation, in Cadotte Lake, AB, in a variety of capacities. As Education Co-ordinator, she helped establish the Adult Learning Centre. She became the Budget & Personnel Manager, and helped develop programs for Health & Human Services.
Audrey decided that a Ford Bronco would better serve her during travels to and from Cadotte Lake, in days before the road was paved. She lived in the community for eight years and made many friends.
In all, Audrey spent 28 years working as an administrator/manager and consultant. She was a very capable career woman who knew what she wanted, and worked towards achieving her goals.
In 1997, she moved to an acreage near Peace River, was semi-retired, and bought a classic Ford LTD Crown Victoria. She worked part-time for M.A.G. Boucher Trucking as a Data Entry Clerk.
Her personal interests included designing home plans, various handicrafts, photography, travel, and movies. She bought a Pontiac Trans Am van that was equipped with camping accessories and travelled to Alaska and to the Northern States, accompanied by her mother, Ruth, and a little black poodle named Bijou.
They also went by train to eastern Canada and the Maritimes. Her keen interest in American Civil War history led to a coach tour of the many battle sites in the eastern United States.
Audrey’s major hobby was recording family genealogy. For a Coates family reunion in 2017, she provided info about the family tree – back to 1772 when her ancestors first arrived in Canada from Yorkshire, England. Audrey was proud to be an eighth generation Canadian.
In 2005, Audrey and her mother moved to a condo in Grimshaw. They liked to play rummy and cribbage. She spent more time working on her computer and crocheting beautiful baby blankets, afghans, scarves and hats, and doilies. She became a Kindle reader, and enjoyed the works of several crime writers. Her favorite TV shows were NCIS and Ancient Aliens.
Audrey moved to Heritage Tower in Peace River in 2012, and soon was recognized as a computer literate ‘young’ senior so was elected as President of the Residents Association. She helped with the bookkeeping and organized fundraising activities such as working at the Casino in Grande Prairie, with the aim to purchase a new handicap bus for the residents.
Audrey passed away on September 24. She was predeceased by her parents, and is survived by her sisters – Adele Boucher and Charlotte Fisher of Peace River, as well as one niece, Crystal and her children – Drake, Dalton and Shelby, in Grande Prairie. She will be remembered by her many Coates and Gale cousins.
There will be a private burial in Berwyn Cemetery at a later date.
In her memory, donations may be made to Alberta Diabetes Foundation, 8602 – 112 Str. University of Alberta,Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Audrey Ruth Gale October 05 1946 September 24 2019..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Death notice for the town of: High Prairie, Province: Alberta