Audrey Catherine Hope Reed (nee Shreenan)
Our much-loved and admired Audrey has peacefully left us. She will be remembered for her keen, caring interest in people, her outgoing and candid personality, and a strong determined spirit. Audrey was born in Saskatchewan, the eldest of five, and left the farm at the young age of 14 to finish her schooling. She stayed connected to her Prairie roots and family throughout her life. With husband Syd, she raised her own family during Kitsilano’s golden days, always striving to provide her children with what they needed to set out on their life’s journey. Later she moved to Kerrisdale to start her next chapter and to step into her life of independence and adventure. She continued to thrive and took great joy in sharing the adventures and accomplishments of her grandkids, nieces/nephews, and grand nieces, who loved her verve and vivacity. Thoughtfully, remembering her loved ones special occasions, with a call or a card in the mail.
As a young family, camping trips to the lakeside, picnics and backyard barbeques were frequent growing up. Audrey kept busy caring for her vegetable and flower gardens, baking fruit pies, Lebanese shortbread and tarts, knitting, crocheting, and attending social functions.
Audrey was a person who lived her faith, devoting herself to ‘doing unto others’ through her church (First Mountain View United, St. James, Ryerson United, First United Soup Kitchen), Friends of the Vancouver School of Theology and the Vancouver Council of Women. She was smart, a good businesswoman and a true lifelong learner. Taking classes in art, writing, and dancing into her 80s, creating community connections kept her vital. She was keen to keep pace with the world around her, even in her 90s. She passed this on to others through volunteering at Science World since inception in 1985, among many service activities.
Later in life Audrey traveled, fascinated by learning about people and cultures of the world. Travelling to Mexico, South America, Antarctica, Panama, Ireland, England, Scotland, Israel, Portugal, Morocco, Egypt, Hong Kong, Thailand, the USA, and always visiting family in Saskatchewan.
She was exuberant and enjoyed joining together to play games, Bridge, Whist, Snooker, including a zealous passion for Scrabble. Audrey lived by example and was admired for her practical, accepting attitude: as her body gradually gave way at the end, her spirit soared, and she stayed connected with others by phone, interested to hear about their lives.
Audrey had an appreciation of the Arts, for many years as a member of the Playhouse and Metro Theatre, she enjoyed regular performances at the QE Theatre in her later years, inviting each of us to join her for an upcoming performance.
We will miss her and often bring to mind cherished memories of good times together. Audrey was predeceased by her husbands, Syd Hope and Jim Reed. She is survived by loving daughter Elizabeth Azeroual (Baruch) and grandchildren Rebeccca and Rachel; daughters Pat Hynes (Frank) and Debbie Guest (Cliff), son Ron Hope; grandsons Jordon and Geoff; and sister Shirley Jansen, as well as extended family and dear friends, particularly Susan, Vesna and Angelina.
Audrey was grateful for help and support from Louis Brier Home (Home Centre, Art and Recreation), the dedication of the CNIB, Kerrisdale Seniors Centre, ASK Friendly Society and Handydart.
Virtual Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at 1:00pm.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81183188039?pwd=aVJhcElWVjZ0R1pxcC9sV2VjL1FxZz09
Passcode: 176108
Meeting ID: 811 8318 8039
Here are the Canadian call in numbers for people looking to join the meeting via a telephone:
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Canada |
+1 778 907 2071
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Toll free number: 855 703 8985
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Celebrating the Life of Audrey Catherine Hope Reed
Order of Service
Welcome - Rev. Maggie Enwright
Poem ‘When Great Trees Fall’ – Rev. Brian Thorpe
Eulogy – Dr. Susan Bluck, Florida, USA
Hymn: All things Bright and Beautiful - soloist Deb Anderson
His Eye is on the Sparrow - Deb Anderson
Poem ‘Life Well Lived’ - Grandson Jordon Moments of Reflection - Grandson Geoff
Video of Audrey’s Life
Moments of Reflection – Granddaughters Rebecca and Rachel Poem excerpt ‘I Arise’ by John O’Donohue
May I live this day Compassionate of heart, Clear in the word, Gracious in awareness, Courageous in thought, Generous in love.
Moments of Reflection - Friend Sylvia Bildfell
Reading: Luke 6.37-38 - Measure for Measure – Rev. Enwright
Reading: Psalm 23 - Rev. Enwright
Hymn: Breathe on Me, Breath of God - Deb Anderson
Reading: At the Gate of the Year - Rev. Enwright
At the Gate of the Year I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied – Go out into the Darkness And put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than A known way.
Guitar Solo - Step-Grandson Damian Azriel, London, U.K.
Poem ‘Death is Nothing at All” - Rev. Enwright
Closing Prayer