But O for the touch of a vanish’d hand and the sound of a voice that is stilled. A. Tennyson
At the age of 101, after a life well lived, Audrey Martha Lucy Saxberg died on June 16, 2024. Born in Fort William, to English immigrants James and Daisy Maycock, Audrey was a proud, lifelong daughter of the Northwest. After graduating from FWCI, followed by business school, Audrey worked at the Pigeon Timber Company, where she met her future father-in-law Alfred Saxberg, who introduced her to his handsome son Richard (Dick). Dick and Audrey were married in 1947, and settled in Port Arthur, where they welcomed children John, Barbara and Catharine (Cathie). After a number of years as a homemaker, Audrey rejoined the work force, ending up at Lakehead University in the Faculty of Fine Arts, a job she loved, where she was valued for her organizational ability and was surrounded by imagination. A creative person at heart, she loved to sing and dance, had a discerning eye, and a gift for crafts and sewing. Working at LU also allowed her to fulfill a lifelong dream of higher education: after years of part time night school she graduated with a BA in Anthropology (with honours). Dick and Audrey built their family dream home 50 years ago, outside of Murillo. After Dick died in 1993, Audrey stayed in that home until she was 90, surrounded by trees, first with canine companion Amy, followed by feline companion Lulu.
She considered herself fortunate in many ways, including finding love again in her mid-80’s with Ray Kosola. Together, she and Ray danced their way through twelve years, and she truly appreciated the warm friendships she established with Ray’s children, Gary and Pam Kosola, Susan Kosola and Gayle Kosola.
Audrey was involved in her community over the years, notably as a cofounder of the Memorial Society and the Northwest Funeral Alternative, a board member of the Thunder Bay Coalition Against Poverty, a volunteer with the Regional Food Bank, Shelter House and the Oliver Twp Food Bank, and as a singer in the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus. She was a longstanding member of the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship. She loved tramping in the bush, digging in the dirt outdoors, and was never without a book while inside.
She was predeceased by husband Richard, partner Ray, brothers Richard and John, brothers-in-law Robert and Alfred, and son John. She is survived by daughters Barbara (Dan) and Catharine, grandchildren Paul (Kristine), Juliana (Marty), Andrew (Rachel), Matthew (Megan), Robyn, (Jordan) and honourary granddaughter Kyung-Soon (Perry), great grandchildren James, Jordan, Amber, Annika, Hugo, Gustav, Nora and Henry, great great grandson JJ, sisters in law Margaret Saxberg and Diane Saxberg, cousins, nieces and nephews, dear friends Gary, Pam, Susan and Gayle.
Audrey was immensely grateful to have spent her final years at Jasper Place, where she appreciated the caring and professional staff, participated in almost every activity and made new friends. The family shares that gratitude. The family would also like to thank the kind and professional staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.
Audrey would say she was an unremarkable person, but to those of us left behind, she was very remarkable: an example of grace and resilience to which we will always aspire. Also, she was hilarious. Our loss is immeasurable, and her legacy infinite.
A memorial will be arranged sometime in the coming weeks. Donations would be appreciated at the Regional Food Distribution Association.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
