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AUDREY MCLENNAN
Born: Jan 04, 1931
Date of Passing: Nov 16, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryAUDREY MCLENNAN
On Saturday, November 16, 2024, weeks shy of her 94th birthday, Audrey passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.
Audrey led a long and productive life marked by never-ending curiosity, lifelong learning and deep caring for her fellow humans. Predeceased by her husband Norman McLennan in 2002 and her brother Bill Girling, Audrey is survived by her sons, Doug (Sarah), Paul (Beatriz), and Gordon (Sonja), her grandchildren, Kate and Liv, both of whom she adored, her beloved brother David Girling and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born in Winnipeg January 4, 1931, to Frank and Dorothy Girling, Audrey attended Laura Secord School and Gordon Bell High School. Barely out of her teens, Audrey met two young men on a tennis court at the Canoe Club with Norm betting his friend on which of them could get a date with the attractive young lady. Norm lost but when his friend failed to measure up to Audrey's high standards, he tried again and the happy couple spent the next 50 years together.
Audrey held many jobs over the years. She delivered newspapers for the Winnipeg Tribune as a teenager (the first female papergirl in Winnipeg), worked a soda fountain, was a secretary at Great West Life, receptionist at the CNR medical clinic, and program coordinator for the YWCA where she created a program called Y-Neighbours that connected young mothers. She also worked as a pastoral care worker with a number of United Churches in Winnipeg, including Fort Garry United, Westminster United, St. John's United and Augustine United. Audrey proudly served as President of the United Church Conference of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario in 1987.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Audrey and Norm became enthusiastic campers, travelling with their three young children across the country. Audrey especially loved Rushing River near Kenora, Ontario. She became a skilled canoeist, hauling a large, bright yellow canoe on top of various cars to lakes and waterways in many provinces.
Relocating to Victoria in 1989 following Norm's retirement, Audrey generously volunteered her time, especially to Victoria's Open Door (now known as Our Place Society). Audrey took great joy in organizing volunteers to create and distribute Christmas hampers for many years.
A dedicated and active United Church member, Audrey continually evolved her understanding of Christianity as an accepting, compassionate and inclusive faith. She had a never wavering dedication to social justice issues. Audrey attended and participated in Victoria’s Broad View United Church until shortly before her passing.
Throughout her life, Audrey enjoyed travelling and meeting new people, exploring most parts of Canada and various far-flung destinations, including much of western Europe, Turkey, Mexico, Thailand and Australia.
Audrey will be missed by her family and large community of good friends. She lived life fully and well leaving an indelible mark on all she knew.
Audrey's family is grateful to her doctor, Dr. Dara Behroozi, for his kind, patient, and compassionate care. Audrey’s commitment to living life on her own terms extended to her decision to depart from it by investigating and preparing for MAID when it was clear her quality of life had finally been compromised. We thank Dr. Jane Henderson and Broad View United’s Margaret Harper for their sensitivity in assisting Audrey and her family in her final days.
Audrey loved many and in return was loved by many.
A remembrance of Audrey's life will be held at a later date. Donations in her honour to Our Place Society in Victoria, BC are gratefully appreciated.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 23, 2024, Nov 23, 2024
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Audrey and I worked together at Augustine. As I look at the difference in our ages I must have seemed like a kid to her. She was one of the most amazing people I ever teamed with; she was so wise, so patient and so energized. I felt so secure when she came on staff. As clergy at Augustine I was in a whirlwind, but Audrey could calm the seas and stop the tumult of that wind. Her understanding of ministry profoundly affected me and I was a much better minister for it. I loved her laughter and her gracious open heart! She is one courageous woman and of course she choose MAID. I mourned when she moved to B.C. and I will mourn even more deeply now. Thank you Audrey, always, Karen E. Toole - Posted by: Karen Elizabeth Toole (co-ministers at Augustine United ) on: Dec 04, 2024
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Doug, Paul, Gordon and families; our thoughts are with you at this time of loss and great change for you and your family. We have warm memories of Audrey and Norm, and of their kindness and hospitality to us on our occasional visits to Victoria. I as well have fond memories of their years at Fort Garry United Church - Norm in the church choir and Audrey as a church Elder. Her visits to our family in our home meant a lot to me as a teenager, and they still mean a lot to me in my memory. She has left her mark in the world and on many hearts. - Posted by: Ron McConnell & Michele Kines (Friends) on: Nov 23, 2024
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It was with great sadness that we read this notice. Our family loved Audrey and Norm. Audrey was sooo patient with our Dad in his failing years. We were so grateful. - Posted by: Kathy and Dave McKibbin (Friend ) on: Nov 23, 2024