AUDREY JOSEPHINE NUTTER (MACLEOD) (AUDIE)

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AUDREY JOSEPHINE NUTTER
(nee MACLEOD)
October 1, 1925 - February 18, 2023

Audrey passed away peacefully on February 18, 2023 in the arms of her daughter Trish. She was predeceased by eldest daughter Liz Hoffman, husband Philip Nutter and sister Bobbie Grant.
She is survived by her loving family - son John, daughter Patricia Jamieson (Bob), granddaughter Andrea Hoffman (Matt Tormey), great-grandchildren Elizabeth and Isaac and son-in-law Barry Hoffman (Joan Mansfield).
Audrey was born October 1, 1925 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and grew up in River Heights, summering at the Macleod family cottage at Victoria Beach. She attended Kelvin High School, followed by the Toronto Conservatory of Music, thus beginning a lifelong passion for music of all kinds. She was a member of The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.
Sharing Kelvin High and Victoria Beach roots, Audie and Phil married on December 20, 1948. Starting their family, they built their first of many homes and cottages on Somerville Avenue in Fort Garry. Summers were spent at Victoria Beach along with family memories of a few harrowing wilderness canoe camping adventures.
In 1963 they moved to Manotick, Ontario where Audie raised her family while teaching piano and music theory privately. She organized and taught the music programs at several public schools in the Ottawa-Carleton School Division. She and Phil were active in the community from the start - they were instrumental in the creation and construction of Manotick's first curling club. Together they conceived of and operated Educanada (1970 to 1975) - a bilingual educational travel program that saw thousands of high school students from across Canada travel to Ottawa for a week in the summer to share their diverse cultures and experience the nation's capital first-hand.
As the kids went their separate ways, the pair moved back to Manitoba and took up permanent residency at Victoria Beach where they built their log dream home. Audie signed on as an administrator/librarian at Walter Whyte School in Grand Marais and continued working with Phil on various community and business endeavours. They were a good team with varied and complimentary skill sets - it would not be unusual for her to be summoned down from shingling a roof to quickly type up a last minute legal document. Both avid bridge players, curlers and cross country skiers, they enjoyed an active social life in the community. Engaging in numerous property development ventures, Audie became proficient at clearing bush and enjoyed gardening.
They later moved back to Winnipeg where Audie served as the executive assistant to the Director of Rainbow Stage, followed by her last labour of love - Executive Director of the Manitoba Choral Association. She was encouraged to stay on well past retirement age with ensuing years of volunteerism and fundraising for the MCA. Her many recognitions include: Distinguished Service Award, Association of Canadian Choral Conductors (1998) and Honorary Membership, Manitoba Choral Association (1999). In 1987 she co-founded ChoralFest, an annual Manitoba choir festival, and in 2012 was honoured with her co-conspirators on its 25th anniversary. Preparing and finessing grant applications was a strength and she was always there to help others in the arts community navigate the paperwork.
At the age of 77 (2003), Audie provided her expertise and experience to Sandy Lake First Nation, Ontario through her membership with CESO (Canadian Executive Service Organization). During this time, as a lifelong learner, she continued to take courses each term at the University of Winnipeg. She was an avid reader, actively participated in WInnipeg arts and culture and embraced tai chi.
Audie travelled extensively with her family. In 2007, under the auspices of Free The Children, she led a travel group spanning three generations into the rural community of Enelerai, Kenya to celebrate the official opening of the Elizabeth Hoffman Community Centre and Library - named in memory of her daughter. She loved her family deeply. She inspired them and brought them joy.
In 2016 Audie moved to Lakefield, Ontario to be closer to family. She truly loved boating on Stoney Lake.
Throughout her life Audie lived the Macleod motto "Hold Fast" with infectious energy, courageous spirit and true grit.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at St. Joseph's at Fleming Care Home in Peterborough for keeping Mom/Nana/Grana happy and comfortable during her residency there.
Cremation has taken place and a family celebration will be held in the spring.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 04, 2023