Sunday, February 16, 2025
Audrey- My Sister
Audrey was not only my sister, she was also my friend. I miss her terribly. As young sisters we were often taken for twins. My mother dressed us the same. We were given the same presents at Christmas, which were usually matching dolls.
I remember telling my mother I was too old for a doll, but no, I had to wait two more years for Audrey to say she was too old. That was the end of the dolls. Same for haircuts, I was too old for pigtails but again I had to wait two more years until we had our matching long hair cut off. Although we each had our own friends as children, we remained close and enjoyed each other’s company.
The years after mother’s passing were difficult ones for us. Audrey was only 15 at the time. However, the next few years were busy, we were both working. Audrey loved her job and enjoyed being with her workmates. She also became a wonderful typist, which was great for me as she typed all my university papers.
It was while working at Stevenson, Blakey and Blunt that she met the love of her life Hap Wright. I was Maid of Honour at their wedding and spent many good times with them in the years to follow. 1975 was a big year for them, she and Hap welcomed 3 children. Audrey was a wonderful mother. She enjoyed her children and was very proud of each of them. Her love for them was unconditional.
Although Audrey and Hap had a wonderful life, they did have their share of illnesses. The children were very young when Hap first became sick. However Audrey, not to be deterred, did what she had to do. She nursed Hap back to health while caring for the children with never a complaint. How brave she was!
Audrey herself was young when she first became sick. Again, she faced the challenge. Even though the diagnosis was bleak, she went on to recover and we had time with her to enjoy many more years. The last few years were difficult but I never heard her complain. The last time I saw her, last fall, she was still walking up and down the hallway at Andrews. After a short while, I was the one who had to sit down and rest! Sadly, during my visit, she did not recognize who I was.
In later years, Audrey’s greatest joy was in being a grandmother. She loved her grandchildren, she loved being a grandmother and was proud of all of them.
I will miss my sister, Audrey, forever.
