July 21,1927 – February 1, 2022

It is with sadness that we announce that Audrey Reekie left this world peacefully on February 1, 2022, at age 94. A devoted mother, volunteer, nature lover, world traveler and friend to many, she will be sorely missed by all who had the opportunity to know her.    Audrey is survived by her daughters Marilyn (Tom Fahey), Joan and Kate (Julek Meissner). She had two grandchildren, Steven (Véronique Dumas) and Karen (Francisco Alas), two step-grandchildren Sebastian and Siena, a great grandson Xavier and two step-great grandchildren Leo and Monica. She is predeceased by her son, Bruce.

Audrey grew up in Montreal West, born into a family well-known for its community service.  She too became active in her community, first organizing her fellow classmates in support of the war effort, and later involving herself in environmental causes and serving the less fortunate through a myriad of volunteer pursuits. A highlight of her life was her time helping out at the Child Haven orphanage in Nepal.

Audrey was known for her frugality, and lived a simple life with few possessions. But her life was among the richest imaginable.  A voracious reader, Audrey read broadly and explored the world through great literature. She also had a keen love of singing, and performed with various choral groups over the years.  

As an only child, Audrey’s friends were very important to her. High school and university friends remained so for the rest of her life. She graduated top of her class in McGill University’s first cohort of physiotherapists with her good friend Beverly in 1947. Married shortly thereafter, in the post-War years she became focused on motherhood and life close to home. She made up for lost time, however, when she hit her sixties, travelling the world (over 23 countries!) over the next twenty years.  

Keeping active was important to Audrey, particularly if it could be done outdoors, and she was a lover of cross-country skiing, paddling and hiking, skating and playing tennis.  A lover of nature, Audrey enjoyed nothing more than spending her summers at Lac Tremblant Nord. While she appreciated her solitude, there was always a well-planned calendar of visitors whom she would invite regularly to share her little slice of paradise.  

Audrey led a long and healthy life, filled with family, friends and community. But it was not without heartache. In particular, the loss of her son Bruce when he was just getting started in life tore a big hole in her heart. But she nevertheless found purpose in life by focusing her energies on making an even greater contribution to the world.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service celebrating the life of Audrey Reekie at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O'Connor), Ottawa on Saturday, June 18, 2022 beginning at 1:00p.m.  Reception will follow in the McGarry Family Reception Centre.

Donations in Audrey's memory can be made to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.