AUDREY JOAN PENIUK (HENKEL)

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AUDREY JOAN PENIUK
(nee HENKEL)
July 26, 1934 - August 29, 2021

On August 29, 2021 at 1:00 a.m., Heaven received its most gentle, sweetest, dearest Angel. Audrey died peacefully at age 87, surrounded by her loving daughters. She had been improving in the Grace Hospital Emergency from an episode of weakness. She was excited and looking forward to being released home the next day, when she suffered an unexpected, massive stroke, while still in the Grace Hospital Emergency.
Audrey was born in Winnipeg and lived here her entire life. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Lydia Henkel (nee Ziprick) and Paul Henkel. Audrey inherited her love of gardening from Lydia. Despite ongoing health problems, Audrey would use her walker to get to her flowers and gardened until her last week of life. Audrey lovingly nurtured geraniums every year that dated back to cuttings that Lydia had passed down to her. These geraniums will continue to be nurtured by Audrey's daughter, Maureen, who tirelessly helped Audrey to continue to garden as Audrey's physical health gradually weakened over the years. Audrey was an enthusiastic member of the East Kildonan Garden Club and the Can-West Iris Club and spent many joyful hours in her garden.
Audrey was an incredibly intelligent, enthusiastic, industrious student who loved to read. She participated in Latin class, school drama productions, book club, and was also very active in sports. Audrey was a compassionate and caring friend and had many lifelong friends both from school and church. She graduated from Kelvin High School in 1951.
Audrey was a woman ahead of her time. She had been encouraged to enter the male dominated field of Chartered Accounting by her Uncle Cameron McKinnon and by her cousin William (Bill) Ziprick, Manitoba Provincial Auditor. She was only the second woman in Manitoba to graduate from Chartered Accountancy. She was the only woman out of 90 students in the 1957 graduating class at the University of Manitoba. After graduating from Chartered Accountancy, Audrey worked with cousin Bill for the Province of Manitoba in the Auditors Office. There was no maternity leave in those days, and when she took time off to have children, Audrey had to quit her job with the province. After her three children were in school, Audrey worked part time as the Chartered Accountant for the Fleet Art Gallery. Audrey eventually went on to join the accounting firm of Kelm, Neufeld, Gateson which later merged to KPMG. Audrey retired from KPMG in her 60s, but she continued to work with her personal clients for the rest of her life and was still taking calls from her clients until her last week of life.
Taking after Paul, Audrey was a lifelong learner. She was able to adapt and thrive when computers came around in the 90s. Audrey learned how to use both Apple and PC computers through work. She was always learning more, including new income tax software for her client tax returns.
Despite having a very gentle demeanor, Audrey was a strong person. She beat an extremely aggressive ovarian cancer in 1996 and survived three primary breast cancers. The cost was high, however, and Audrey suffered permanent and devasting complications from radiation and chemotherapy treatment. But she remained cheerful, happy and never complained. She continued to live life to the fullest. Despite Audrey's ongoing health problems, she was the main caregiver for her husband Ron, who also has numerous medical issues.
An important part of Audrey's life was her church, Crescent Fort Rouge United Church (CFRUC). Audrey's family has attended this church for three generations. Paul and Lydia were longtime church members. Paul served on the Finance and Property Committee and Lydia knitted and crocheted beautiful handiwork for the gift shop until her death. Audrey was a member of CFRUC starting in 1946. Audrey attended Sunday School, Young Peoples and in 1956, joined the Women's Circle. In 1985, when the church treasurer left for an extended holiday, Audrey agreed to step in and fill in the term. She was first elected church treasurer in 1986 and carried that position for many years. Audrey loved her church and served it well.
Audrey, like her father Paul, was very community and civic minded. She has donated generously over the years to the University of Manitoba, The Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature, the Canadian Cancer Society, River East Collegiate and numerous other charities.
A love of travel and adventure was instilled in Audrey by Lydia and Paul. Audrey travelled extensively both before and after marriage. Audrey and Ron travelled over many parts of the world after Ron retired from teaching in 1992.
Audrey enjoyed spending summers at Sherwood Lake in Ontario where her parents and four of her aunts all had family cabins dating back to the 1950s. She served as Sherwood Lake Treasurer for many years. Always a conscientious mother, Audrey, wanted to make sure her children knew how to swim at the lake. As a result, she volunteered at the East Kildonan YMCA for many years and taught her children and numerous other children how to swim. Her family still enjoys these family cabins. Numerous family reunions and precious memories have been made over the years at Sherwood Lake.
Despite all these talents, to her children, Audrey was, above all, the most wonderful mother. She was the sweetest, patient, most optimistic, noncomplaining person we have ever met. We are all so lucky to have had this precious time on Earth with Audrey. Now she is with the Angels. And we shall miss her so unbearably much that it hurts. Left to cherish Audrey's memory, are husband of 61 years, Ron, her three children, Heather (Derrick), Kevin, Maureen and so many good friends and cousins.
Thank you to wonderful Family Physician, Dr. Sheila Domke, who saved Audrey's life when she discovered Audrey's cancer in 1996 and gave her such good care over all the years. You could not find a better doctor. Thank you also to the excellent and compassionate staff on the 3rd floor of Grace Hospital including nurses Kara and Angela and the palliative care nurse. You made Audrey's last days as comfortable as possible and looked after her so well.
Funeral services, followed by a reception, will be held for Audrey on September 14, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at her church: Crescent Fort Rouge United Church, 525 Wardlaw Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba.
We welcome all church members, friends and family to this service and would ask you to email family at AudreyPeniuk@gmail.com if you can attend, as we are currently limited to 50 attendees due to Covid-19.
We will have a second Celebration of Life for Audrey at Chapel Lawn in the summer of 2022 where her cremated remains will rest. Hopefully Covid-19 will allow a larger attendance at that time.

Condolences may be sent to Klassen
Funeral Home at dignitymemorial.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 04, 2021, Sep 11, 2021