Obituary
Audrah Eileen Caughell (Grant)
(Born, April 26th, 1915. Died January 13th, 2022)
Our mother, Audrah Caughell, 106 yrs. old passed away peacefully in the Minnedosa Care Home on the morning of January 13th . Predeceased by her husband George Alexander, her brother William Angus Grant, her sisters, Edna Graham and Donna Thomson, and son in law, Jim Betteridge. Survived by her children, Eileen Murray (Robert), George Caughell (Barbara) and Nancy Betteridge, five Grandchildren, and nine Great grandchildren. Audrah was the first-born child of Hazel Viola Reed and James McTavish Grant who farmed in the Cameron district north of Minnedosa. She grew up on the farm during the depression of the 1930s. Her parents instilled in her determination and drive that served her well throughout her life. She liked to run and won many racing medals. While she was studying to be a teacher at Normal School in Winnipeg, her coach encouraged her to train for the Commonwealth games. She found teaching children very satisfying. She taught in one room rural schools in Manitoba ending up as Principal of her last school in Bisset, a small gold mining town that was accessed only by air. She met her husband to be who boarded in the same house in Arden Ridge. George Caughell worked for the CPR. They were married August 30th, 1944. They soon started a family, which temporarily postponed her teaching career. When the children were all in school, she returned to teaching. She taught in both Treherne and Minnedosa schools before retiring in Minnedosa. Audrah’s real happiness came from her love of cats, gardening, photography, travelling and exploring. She had a huge appetite for nonfiction and a passion for playing bridge, which she played until the age of 104. Audrah’s love of travel took her to all four corners of the world, from the Arctic circle including Iceland, Greenland and Ellesmere Island, to the southernmost tip of South America, white water rafting in Chile, treks through the jungles of the Amazon, Belize and Indonesia. She photographed the Taj Mahal in India, climbed Ayers Rock in Australia, sailed down the Amazon and Yangtze Rivers, camped on sail boats in the Galapagos and Easter Islands, safaried in Kenya and South Africa, as well as touring many countries throughout Europe. Audrah traveled extensively through six continents all seen through the lens of a 35mm camera. But for all her travels and great adventures, when she arrived back home in Minnedosa you would hear her say, “That was nice, but I wouldn’t move from Minnedosa for all the tea in China.” Her love of life, courage, determination, kindness and enthusiasm, will forever be an inspiration to her children and everyone who knew her. Although Audrah’s journey has come to an end, she will be remembered, as a loving mother, and as someone who was truly happy with her life, her journey and the legacy she leaves behind. We would like to thank all her Great birthday Celebrating Friends, the Eastern Star, the Horticultural Society, the Minnedosa Hospital and the Minnedosa Care home, with special thanks to Donna Hall, Cheryl Cooper, and Terry Barclay for all their help and unwavering concerns. Due to the present COVID restrictions, a memorial will not be held at this time. A celebration of life will hopefully be held in April when friends and family will be able to gather to celebrate Audrah’s life.
Eileen Murray, George Caughell and Nancy Betteridge
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Audrah Eileen Caughell April 26 1915 January 13 2022 (age 106)..
Death notice for the town of: Minnedosa, Province: Manitoba