Obituary of Audrey James

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Audrey May James at the age of 95. Audrey peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, June 17, 2024 at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital.

Visitation will be held at the H.A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer on Thursday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral service to celebrate Audrey's life will be held at the funeral home on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Michel Belzile from Aylmer Baptist Church officiating. Following the service, Audrey will be laid to rest at Calton Cemetery.

Audrey was born on November 12, 1928, in Malahide Township to the late Archibald Buck and Florence (Trim) Buck.  On December 18, 1948, she married Stanley Robert James, and together they enjoyed 65 years of marriage until Stanley's passing in 2013.

In addition to her daughter Cheryl (Jim Edmonds) and son Roger (Robin), Audrey is survived by her beloved grandchildren Melissa (Tim), Ryan (Liz), Dereck (Carey), Brent, Heather (Jason), and Lorne (Sarah). She also leaves behind her cherished great-grandchildren Avery (Matt), Zachary, Audrey, Nathan, Olivia, Caleb, Colton, and Izzy. Audrey had a special bond with her nephew Russell Crosby, who is the son of her sister Mildred. In addition to her immediate family, Audrey is also survived by a sister-in-law Myna James and a number of nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.

She was preceded in death by her stepmother Pearl Buck, her son Dean, and daughters-in-law Cheryl Ann and Jill, sister Mildred Van Horne, her brother-in-law Harry Van Horne, sister-in-law Marjorie Lockey, and brothers-in-law Silas Lockey and Maurice James.

Audrey was a devoted farmer's wife and an active member of both Calton Baptist Church and Aylmer Baptist Church. She was also a life time member of the Calton Women's Institute. Audrey had a passion for flowers, particularly tulips, and took great joy in capturing their beauty through photography.

Audrey was also renowned for her elderberry pie and sweet pickles, receiving numerous awards at the Aylmer Fair over the years. The pies she auctioned off fetched high amounts, a testament to her culinary skills and community spirit.

She possessed a talent for writing poetry and penned works such as "Fun of a Farmer's Wife," "Maple Syrup Time," "Lovely Sumac," and poems for children, grandchildren, friends, and special events. For a decade, Audrey shared her poetic talents with Metcalfe Gardens, leaving a lasting impact.

One of Audrey's most touching poems, "The Intruder," was written during her beloved Stanley's battle with Alzheimer’s. The poem was published by the Alzheimer Society and has provided comfort to many who have loved ones affected by this disease.

Audrey had a special place in her heart for the Alzheimer Society, as she witnessed firsthand the impact of Alzheimer's disease on her beloved husband Stanley. In honour of Audrey's memory and her passion for supporting those affected by Alzheimer's, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer Society. Your contributions to this charity would be greatly appreciated as they continue their vital work in research, support, and advocacy for individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease.

A special thanks for the care and compassion she received from the staff at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital during the past two weeks.

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