Obituary of Audrey Crawford

February 23, 1923 - November 16, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Audrey Muriel Crawford (nee Schofield) in Ottawa on November 16, 2023 at  the age of 100. 

Left to mourn her passing are her three children, Gregg Blachford (David), Barbara Mason (Vaughn) and Jennifer Campbell (Joseph), and grandchildren Kyle (Alexis) and Chris (Emily) Mason, Ben, Daniel (Randi), Michael (Caren) and Sarah Campbell and great grandchildren Wally Campbell and Rosie Mason.

Also surviving her are stepdaughters, Linda D’Amato (Carmen) and Karen Short, their five children and four grandchildren.

Audrey was predeceased by her sister, Shirley Murray (2014).

Born in Montreal on February 23, 1923 to James Herbert and Muriel Ann Schofield (nee Harkness), Audrey grew up in Toronto’s High Park neighbourhood. During the Second World War, she volunteered to knit for the soldiers fighting abroad and formed the “KPK (Knit, Purl, Knit) Club" with her Humberside Collegiate friends. “Club” bonded them as they continued to meet monthly for almost 70 years!

After attending Shaw Business School in the 1940s, Audrey worked at the Royal Ontario Museum’s Dept. of Mineralogy as an Administrative Assistant.  She also worked as a part-time fashion model.

She married Arthur Blachford (predeceased, 2004) in 1947, eventually settling in Don Mills where they raised their family.  Audrey received a Certificate in Early Childhood Education in the 1960s, worked in nursery schools and volunteered with her local United Church and the community.

Her remarriage in 1973 to William Crawford (predeceased, 2018) took her and her  youngest daughter, Jennifer, to Halifax for the next 15 years. Education was always important to Audrey.  She successfully pursued a BA in English Literature at Mount St. Vincent University and proudly graduated in 1984 with distinction.

Audrey remained very active in her senior years with yoga, swimming, bridge, painting, book clubs, volunteering and, her greatest passion, creating beautiful gardens. She graciously welcomed family and friends to her homes in every community where she lived:  Toronto, Halifax, Midhurst, Gravenhurst, Barrie and finally, Ottawa. 

She was powerfully proud and supportive of her family, who gave her great joy and a full life. She patiently listened with compassion and frequently shared sage advice, often unprompted!  She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will forever inspire our lives and fill us with love.

Audrey’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Andrea McDonald, Dr. Sarah Halliday, Carefor PSWs, special caregivers Penelope Paddon-Graves and Debbie Lesway, and finally, the VIVA Barrhaven staff and residents for their care, kindness and friendship.

A Celebration of Audrey’s Life will take place at the Pinecrest Remembrance Chapel, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11am. Reception to follow. Audrey’s ashes will be interred at the Harkness/Schofield family plot in the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal at a future date. For those who were not able to attend the service may view the service by clicking here Service Link.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Audrey’s memory to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.