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AUDREY JUNE MORTON
On October 3, 2023, Audrey Morton died at the age of 92, surrounded by family.
She is survived and deeply missed by her daughter Kimberley, son David (Patricia), son Jeffrey (Mary), her treasured grandchildren, Sarah (Raymond), Evan (Elisa), Andrea (Riley), Alexander (Hayley), Stephen (Sarah), and Melissa (Ken), and her precious great-grandchildren, Joshua, Miles and Ophelia. Audrey is also survived by her brother-in-law Bill (Joan) and many nieces and nephews.
Audrey was predeceased by her beloved husband Ian, her parents, Hilda and Hector McIntosh, siblings, Gordon, Joan, Donald and Pamela, and her brother-in-law Patrick.
Born in Winnipeg, January 27, 1931, Audrey lived in Winnipeg all her life. Audrey and Ian Morton married on September 27, 1952 and celebrated almost 50 years together before his death in 2002.
Audrey was a proud student of Kelvin High School, where she served on the Student Council, worked on the yearbook staff, wrote a social column and ran with the Kelvin inter-high track team. For a period of time, she also shot skeet. Following graduation, in 1948, she enrolled in Success Business College which later led to employment with Great West Life in the Planning Department.
In 1953, she left the paid working world to be a stay-at-home mother for her first born Kimberley, and for David born in 1956 and Jeffrey in 1959. Audrey and Ian crafted a safe and happy home for their family, drawing on Audrey’s organizing prowess and myriad skills of cooking, sewing, gardening, and interior design. She made the lightest pastry and the straightest seams. When a cottage was added to the mix, garage sale furniture refinishing took centre stage, and many pieces of her handiwork are in her family's homes. As a mother, Audrey was remarkably thoughtful, patient and generous with her attention and her unconditional love. Her children and their heirs have benefited greatly from this caring and loving upbringing.
In 1971, at the age of 40, with her children’s need for practical care waning, she followed her heart and was accepted in the Creative Communications two year program at Red River Community College. This ultimately led to her second career as a freelance writer. Soon after graduation, she was invited to Cre-Com as a Public Relations instructor and the following year as a full time course instructor.
In 1991, Audrey took an early retirement from Red River College, where she had enjoyed the confidence of her superiors to take on the opportunities and challenges of working in several different positions: as a Creative Communications instructor; as Coordinator of Cooperative Education, where she developed the College’s first co-op ed program in 1976; as a Competency Based Learning program developer; and latterly as a Communications Coordinator for the College. Audrey was seen as someone who would enthusiastically cut new paths where there were none before, often with the phrase from College leadership, ” give it to Audrey“. While working at the College, she continued to work as a freelancer, researching and writing for various organizations including CBC radio and the then CKY-TV.
Audrey was a prolific writer, especially so in her Cre-Com years, and the family has the rare privilege to enjoy her perceptive and beautifully phrased short stories, poetry and humorous story-telling through the archives of her work. Her children and grandchildren developed a love of language, clear written communication and a well crafted turn of phrase.
Audrey was a person of grace and intellect who was known by all for her warm and caring demeanour. She listened actively and responded to the needs of others. She valued everyone’s humanity and tried to always hear the voices of the voiceless and the marginalized.
Audrey’s volunteer commitment to her community included past service as a Board Director of Age and Opportunity, the former Children’s Aid Society of Eastern Manitoba, and the Junior League of Winnipeg. She also provided communications consultation or related assistance to various organizations including the Canadian Cancer Society, the Volunteer Bureau and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. She took pride in the fact that she was an active volunteer for the Pan Am Games in both 1967 and 1999. In her 70s and 80s, she served as a ”reading buddy” for elementary school children experiencing difficulty with reading. Her final volunteer contribution involved several years as a classroom volunteer in English as an Additional Language (EAL) program for recent adult immigrants to Winnipeg.
Audrey also revelled in watching children grow to become adults, as they developed their views and opinions on life and their place in society. You could always find her at the kids and teenagers table at the big family dinners to sate her thirst for exposure to growing minds and personalities. She will be greatly missed but will live on in the hearts of the many people she touched in her long and impactful life, be it family, friends, former students, colleagues and neighbours.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff at Riverview Health Centre, Grace Hospice and the Arbour at Brightwater for their care of Audrey in the last two years. We would especially like to acknowledge the many nurses and personal care aides whose unique relationships and genuine affection for Audrey were so clearly demonstrated in their respectful and loving attention. Finally, we want to thank Elizabeth, Emma and Raman from Home Care Assistance whose one on one care of Audrey helped the family navigate the early months of Audrey’s journey in palliative care.
Cremation has taken place. There will be a private interment, and a Celebration of Life in the future. For those of you so inclined to make a donation in Audrey’s memory, she would have greatly appreciated it be directed to Grace Hospice, Siloam Mission, Main Street Project, or other social service organizations of a similar ethos. If you’d like to offer your condolences, please go to passages.winnipegfreepress.com
Publish Date: Oct 14, 2023
AUDREY JUNE MORTON
Audrey Morton died in her ninety third year on October 3, 2023, in the presence of her loving family. Audrey was a person of grace and intellect who was known by all for her warm and caring demeanour, and her gift to listen and respond to the needs of others. She will be greatly missed, but will live on in the hearts of the many people she touched in her long and impactful life.
A longer obituary to follow in the Winnipeg Free Press October 14, 2023
Publish Date: Oct 7, 2023
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 07, 2023, Oct 14, 2023
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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I have fond memories of Audrey Morton. Mrs Morton was warm and welcoming when Kim and I would plunk ourselves down in the kitchen after a day at Kelvin High School. She didn’t ask too many questions about our day or assignments due. She would make us fried egg sandwiches and tolerate Led Zeppelin on the record player. I loved my time spent in her company. - Posted by: Carol (Blankstein) McArton (Childhood friend of Kim) on: Nov 02, 2023
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My sincere condolences to the Morton family. I first knew Mrs Morton as one of my instructors at Red River College. Eventually we became coworkers and friends. Audrey was my mentor. I learned many valuable lessons from her over the years. I missed our noon hour walks after she retired. You will all have many wonderful memories to help you through this difficult time. Barb Hogue - Posted by: Barbara Hogue (Student and co-worker) on: Oct 16, 2023
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Kim, David and Jeff, I am the daughter of Bud and Lizanne Sherman. They were great friends of your parents. I was a classmate of David in junior high and high school. I am very sorry about the passing of your mother. She was lovely. I remember her as so elegant, gracious and refined. I had first-hand experience with your mom as a talented writer. When I was in university, I was struggling with a particular written assignment. Your mother invited me to her condo, where she used her creative communication skills to help me move forward with my project. Please accept my condolences. Sincerely, Cathy Sherman - Posted by: Cathy Sherman (family friend) on: Oct 15, 2023
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Audrey Morton, gracious and stylish, was my PR instructor back in the 70s at RRC’s CreComm. She touched my world, and in fact, after a long communications career, I too have been teaching -including PR and yes, including in the CreComm PR program at RRC. I often think of Audrey - she made a difference. Thank you Mrs Morton. Sincere condolences to her family. - Posted by: Nadine Delisle (Former student) on: Oct 14, 2023