AUDREY IRENE (BAYLEY) SURA

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AUDREY IRENE (BAYLEY) SURA Sunrise August 4, 1921 Sunset August 4, 2007 Sometimes special people come into our lives, leaving footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same and so it is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Grannycare on her 86th birthday. As we celebrate her life, her generosity, her never-ending unconditional love and support, we are so incredibly blessed for all the love and beautiful memories she leaves with us. Audrey was born August 4, 1921, in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, to George and Ena Bayley. She was the youngest of their four children, following brothers Orval, Elmer, and sister Vera. At the age of eight months, her mother was diagnosed with TB and passed away when Audrey was three years old. During this time the children were separated and Audrey went to live with her Grandma Bayley - she would become one of the most influential people in Audrey's life. In 1943 Audrey welcomed her daughter Marion. As a young single mom there were so many challenges and for many years it was just the two of them. There was nothing they were afraid of, nothing they couldn't do, as long as they were together and this held true until the end. To make ends meet Audrey answered an ad in the paper to take care of three young boys - Garnet, Gordon and Roger. She became mom to them and they have remained very dedicated to her. In 1954 Audrey married Peter Sura and in 1956 their daughter Beverley was born. If there was one word to describe Grannycare, it would be selfless - in everything she did, it was for others, especially her family. To the end her family was the single most important thing to her. As we reflect we remember playing in the box of scarves and gloves, and while we didn't see her wear them they always smelled like her; the box of wood in the basement, always pulled apart and ready for the next visit; the endless visits to the park; the galvanized steel tubs and turkey roaster used as our swimming pool; icebox cookies; the doorbell ringing very early Christmas morning; the pantry where the copper coloured cookie tin was always full; the Jerry Lewis Telethon family gathering with Auntie Vera coming through the door with a bucket of chicken; the endless rocks in the rocking chair; the Tupperware cupboard where there were always treasures to play with; the sleeping bed; the countless forts made from a cardboard box; the back scratches; her tea cup on the window ledge where she watched the birds; bingo and dancing with Gordie at the Legion; always sensing when one of the kids was sick she'd answered the phone in the morning asking which one do I get today ; the day her named changed forever from Grandma to Grannycare. She was this and so much more. Audrey was predeceased by father George, mother Ena, sister Vera, brothers Orval and Elmer, her beloved daughter Beverly and great-granddaughter Sara. Left to remember her is daughter Marion (Jack), granddaughters Carol (Doug), Donna (Chris), Linda (Gary), Lainie and grandson Chris; great-grandchildren Scott, Jodi, Tyler, Joshua, Chloe, Emi and Grace; her sons Garnet (Judy), Gordon (Pat) and Rodger and by her very special dancing partner and much loved friend Gordie. Words cannot begin to express how thankful we are to the staff at Riverview who have taken care of Grannycare - you have become our family and we will always be grateful. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 9, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverview Health Centre Chapel. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Children's Wish Foundation or the charity of your choice. I won't be far away, for life goes on. So if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can't see me or touch me, I'll be near, And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear, All of my love around you soft and clear. Toodle-de-doo Grannycare Arrangements entrusted to Chapel Lawn Funeral Home.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 08, 2007