WILSON, Audrey Alice (nee Wrathall)
December 23, 1912 – October 5, 2013
It is with heartfelt sadness that we say goodbye to a very dear and special lady in our lives, Audrey Alice Wilson. Audrey passed peacefully in St. John Hospice, UBC. Born in Hazelton, BC, she was the third of six children, daughter of William and Lynn Wrathall, an early pioneer family who moved to Prince Rupert in 1914. Audrey’s father, a well-known photographer in the Northwest, left a legacy of historical photographs to the archives in Prince Rupert and Ottawa. As a young child growing up Audrey enjoyed many family outings, boating and picnicking on the beaches around Prince Rupert. Audrey loved her natural surroundings, spending much of her time outdoors camping and hiking. Prince Rupert City Hall was her employer from 1937-1959. As the City Accountant, Audrey retired to marry Gerald Christie and locate to Vancouver, enjoying a happy life until Gerry died in 1977. Audrey gained Gerry’s family of three adult children and their families. On a visit to Prince Rupert in 1992, Audrey met an old friend, Bruce Wilson. Then in their 80’s and young at heart, they married the following year and Audrey acquired an additional family, the Wilsons. They had six happy years travelling and visiting family before Bruce passed in 1999. In 2001 Audrey located to Shannon Oaks Senior Residence where she lived for 12 years, enjoying independent and active living amongst a caring community of friends and staff. Audrey loved to travel and did much of it throughout her lifetime. She remained active right up until shortly before she died making sure to get out daily for walks and to enjoy the beauty of the birds and gardens she loved. She embraced life to the fullest always enjoying the many outings at Shannon Oaks and the company of her family and friends. Audrey celebrated her one hundredth birthday last year with a gala party at Shannon Oaks. Her cousin Blair Little fulfilled her desire for a waltz on the dance floor. She satisfied our curiosity for living a long life: Do not take yourself too seriously, never miss a meal, exercise daily and live by your faith. It was time for our much loved little Angel to join the other Angels. Audrey leaves her extended families and friends to mourn her passing and to celebrate her long life. Audrey enriched our lives and we are grateful for having known her. Service will be held at Shannon Oaks at 1:30 pm followed by Inurnment at 3 pm at Ocean View Cemetery, October 29, 2013. Donations to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon in lieu of flowers.