Obituary of Audrey Boak

The red cardinal lady has sung her last sweet note. Peacefully, at Garden Terrace in Kanata, with family and little Snow by her side, Audrey, at the grand age of 99, slipped out of this world and into the next. She leaves behind a legacy of song, dance, beautiful smiles, laughter, and love for family and friends.

Born in Montreal, Audrey spent her youth growing up with brother Bruce Johnson (deceased) in Valleyfield and later Cumberland. At 17, she moved to the big city of Ottawa to work in a teletype office for the Canadian Navy. Afterwork hours were spent with chums at the Laurentian Terrace, singing with Larry Carrigan’s big band, and touring around the Ottawa Valley. While in Ottawa she met and married a dashing RCAF officer (Bill Boak, deceased). Together they raised a family in Kanata and travelled the world - Hong Kong, Hawaii, Portugal, Switzerland, France, Greece, Mexico, the US and Canada, plus England, the birth place of Audrey’s mum. Many of these trips were with the Gillespie’s and the Kanata Golf Club gang.

Audrey enjoyed a long career in real estate, working for celebrated builders such as Bill Teron, Campeau, Holitzner, Richcraft, and Jaric Developments (Amberwood Village). One of her greatest accomplishments and a treasured memory was singing on the stage at Carnegie Hall, NYC with her beloved Canadian Showtime Chorus and sipping Martinis at the Waldorf Astoria afterwards! Audrey shared her love of singing with her god niece, Brenda Gardner, who she taught to harmonize as a young child and with whom she attended numerous concerts at the NAC.

In recent years, Audrey spent time with dear friend Doug. Audrey and Doug formed a deep bond with one another and spent long hours chatting, going for walks, playing pool, and visiting with family. Audrey enjoyed visits to the river house for dinners with her daughter Karyn and son-in-law Kirk. When Audrey fell ill, Doug was by her side with fierce loyalty. Their friendship was a beautiful thing that brought much joy to Audrey. This past year Audrey made some new friends. She enjoyed Bingo games with Christine and chair dancing in the front row at music concerts with Enid, Betty, Huguette, Violette, and many others.

The family would like to thank the staff at Garden Terrace for their compassionate care during Audrey’s last year. Special thanks to the third and fifth floor nursing and care teams, especially Harpreet and Kieran for their kindness and friendship. Gratitude to Kelly Mulhall and Dai Bassett for filling so many of Audrey’s days with music and smiles.

A Private Family interment will be held at a later date and Audrey will rest at Highland Park Cemetery, Carp, Ontario. An animal lover, Audrey was a long time member of the Canadian Wildlife Federation and Ottawa Humane Society. In lieu of any fuss or flowers, Audrey would be pleased if donations where made to either of these outstanding organizations.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

You make me happy, when skies are grey.