Audrey M. Ridley Obituary
Audrey M. Ridley, Obituary. July 14, 1920 to February 21, 2023 – 102 Grand Years!
Born July 14th 1920, Audrey Minota Ridley (nee Shepherdson) passed away peacefully at the Temiskaming Hospital on February 21st 2023 with family by her side -- one day after Family Day, which is fitting since family was the most important thing to Audrey. Having lived to a grand 102 years, Audrey is survived by her daughters and their loving husbands: Carlene (Lloyd) and Wendy (Wayne). As well as her grandchildren: Piper Lee (Trevor), Andy (Tonya), and Carlyanna (Mike). Thanks to her longevity, Audrey had 7 great-grandchildren (Jeremy, Joshua, Madeline, Jaxon, Mikanna, Alicia and Erica), two step-great-grand-children (Hunter, Myles) and 3 great-great-grandchildren. And she will be missed by her surviving siblings: Betty, Clair and Donna and nieces and nephews, including Lori and Kent who visited with her regularly. As the oldest girl of 11 in the Shepherdson family, she outlived many siblings and in-laws and also her husband, Tom.
Audrey lived a quiet, contented life. She and Tom moved into the house Tom built in 1941, raised their daughters and lived there together until his death in 1973. Audrey continued to live alone in her marital home. She was a dedicated employee of the Northern and Central Gas company until her retirement at the age of 64 after which she volunteered at the Temiskaming Hospital for many years. She enjoyed tending to her beautiful gardens, knitting, reading romance novels and being an active member of her church. Visiting with family was always a highlight, including many family trips to places like Disney World and the beach. In 2013 Audrey chose to move into Northdale Manor. She thrived at The Manor for many years during which time she took vacations to see her daughters in Florida or many months spent with family in Waterloo.
Many thanks go to the caring staff at The Manor including the nurses and PSWs, and especially Audrey's regular PSW Jennifer, who cared for Audrey so well for nearly 10 years and gave her even more care and support over this past year as she became weaker.
Audrey was so easy to be around. She was contented, easy-going and had a great sense of humour. She loved flowers (especially pansies and lilacs), plants and birds and kept her body active with swimming for many years and her mind active with puzzles, crosswords, and Sudoku. Her family loved playing games like Rummikub and Dominoes with her right until the end. Her last Rummikub games, only a few weeks before her death, were with her 2 daughters and Audrey won 2 out of 4 games! Her family was so thankful and blessed that Audrey kept her mind and quick wit the full length of her life.
Audrey was organized and fashionable. She had a mathematical mind and an amazing memory. She kept up with family by email on her laptop until the end of her life. When asked what invention most changed her life over her 102 years, her surprising answer was 'plastic' for food storage among other uses. Practical and useful, two of Audrey's values. Her simple and loving life has been inspirational to so many.
If you want to remember Audrey, and maybe absorb some of her 'content with life as it is' kind of way, you can take a break on her bench located right next to the snack bar on the boardwalk on the shore of Lake Temiskaming. The bench was placed by her family in honor of her 100th birthday almost three years ago. The plaque on the bench is from a verse that was meaningful to Audrey. It reads "Old enough to be wise and young enough to be glad."
A celebration of life will be held on August 9th 2023 for family and friends at Community of Christ Church in New Liskeard. If you’d like to send any well wishes ahead of time, they can be sent to Perrin Funeral Home, New Liskeard or emailed to Audrey’s daughter Carlene at [email protected].
