Audrey Franklin

of Kitchener

Born: Jan. 22, 1914

in Saskatchewan

Died: Dec. 31, 2007

of age-related illness

Audrey Franklin's life was coloured by loss: Her father died when she was five, her brother was killed by a drunk driver in his 30s, her husband died in 1967 and soon after, her brother-in-law died.

But there was a determination about Audrey, a stoicism that life could never beat out of her. And if you asked her, Audrey would say she had a wonderful life, full of opportunity and excitement, as an early member at both Westmount Golf and Country Club and Chicopee Ski Club. She was also a champion curler.

Margaret McTaggart said "she was the best friend you ever could have." In their youth, the two would take the Kitchener street car east, then hoof it out to Chicopee ski hill, wooden skis slung over their shoulders. "Every Saturday and Sunday, we'd be skiing all day," she said. These were the days long before the luxury of a warm lodge or a ski lift so when the girls hit the bottom, there was nothing to do but walk back up.

Audrey was an athlete, said Gail Shantz of her busy mother, adding with a laugh, "If I wanted to be with my parents, I had to take up golf, too."

When Audrey's father died, her mother returned home to Kincardine from Saskatoon. When she married again, she and her two children moved to Kitchener. Audrey's stepfather was never the warm, cuddly sort, though she would always be the devoted daughter, caring for him until his death. And when she was left out of the will, Audrey didn't protest. Margaret explained "she was so great . . . she didn't want any fights or arguments."

Audrey had been a secretary when she signed up for war service, given the job of a flight director when she met an athletic young serviceman named Ron Franklin, from Hespler. When they married, both were in their 30s and Gail was their only child.

After the war, the couple moved to a Quebec pulp and paper town where everything was company-owned, including the houses. Life was good: the couple played golf, curled and enjoyed a rich social life. When Ron died of a heart attack, Audrey was bereft. "She had one month to get out of the house after he died," said Gail. Audrey had been a coddled bride, her husband doing everything for her and now she was suddenly alone.

"She had to . . . take over the finances, find a job," Gail recalled. "I don't remember her complaining."

Audrey had no interest in remarrying, believing that in Ron, she had found her perfect mate. "She couldn't find anybody better than he was," Gail said. "They did everything together."

Audrey always had an independent spirit and once widowed, she returned to Kitchener to a small apartment with 14-year-old Gail.

During these years, Gail developed a deep appreciation for her mother who stoically faced every hurdle. Though it had been 20 years since Audrey held a job, she was hired by Dominion Life.

Then her brother-in-law Bill Franklin suggested she move in with him and his wife, but two weeks later, he died. "My mom and her sister-in-law stayed together . . . my aunt died five years ago," said Gail. After retiring from Dominion Life at age 65, Audrey enjoyed the fruits of her life.

Energetic and perpetually in a hurry, Audrey began travelling and in her 70s joined a group of people she didn't know for a European tour. Typical of Audrey, she made friends with her travel mates and kept in touch over many years.

When her health started failing, Audrey insisted on planning every detail of her funeral, including writing her obituary. That was the practical aspect of her nature, but she was also trying to spare Gail from having to deal with the myriad of tasks.

"She was so positive," said Gail. "She had a lot of character." How like her to die on New Year's Eve, concluded Gail.

vhill@therecord.com