Audrey Varney

AUDREY DENISE GRAHAM VARNEY (née Millar)
Born: Killead, County Antrim, Ireland May 18, 1943
Died: Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada March 4, 2022

To capture in a few words the essence of a beautiful human being is not an easy task. And that was who Audrey Denise Graham Varney was – a beautiful human being.

Audrey was introduced to her Christian faith at a young age. It guided her throughout her life, giving her strength when she needed it most. She was a loving and faithful servant to all. This was defined through her actions, in recognizing and giving to those in need:  whether those she knew or those she didn’t.

She never wanted recognition for her gifts of Self, which is the best gift anyone can give. She gave them all with a loving heart and a silent grace. She was like the good Samaritan seeking out those who needed help and doing her best to fulfil that need. Though a ‘giver’ in every sense of the word, she never saw herself as such and we can only assume this is why she found it so very difficult to receive in kind.

Her generosity to others throughout her life would be a mystery to the selfish, to those who don’t care about others’ woes unless it affects them and to those who feel that the greatest legacy in life is measured through monetary value.

Audrey loved her family as she loved her God. They were her blessings and she cherished them like the treasures they are. She adopted her in-laws and the friends of her children and grandchild and treated them like they were her own. She opened her home for joyous occasions to others and as a refuge when people needed a helping hand. She was a true and loving friend to many.

Audrey loved life and valued each moment of the days she was given. Her zest for life was witnessed in the way she lived it. She was always on the move, enjoying each day to its fullest. As she reminded us in the end, the only day you have is today and you should make sure you live it to the fullest.

She was fiercely independent in speech and in her actions. She was also very private.  But as the Irish lass she was, she never backed down from a good debate and was always generous in her opinions.

Audrey said that the greatest gift her husband Alan gave her was her two sons Kyle and Dale. They lived up to her belief in, and love for them. The endless support they gave their mother was noted by many. Their answer when praised was, ‘We learned by example.’ What a beautiful gift to a mother’s ear.

Audrey departed her earthly home on Friday, March 4^th 2022. Despite her illness, she fought valiantly and with laughter, making the most of each day she was given.

Now she has travelled to that beautiful Garden of Eden in the sky and is reunited with her beloved husband Alan and all those she loved and lost through the years. What a celebration that must have been! God is smiling that Audrey has come home.

Audrey leaves behind her son Kyle and his loving wife Tammy, and her granddaughter Samantha, her son Dale, sister Kathryn Young and family, and her brother Rev. Roger Millar, his wife Nancy and family plus so many more family and friends who loved her so very dearly.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home located at 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim, Ontario (www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com) from 12:00 to 2:00 with the funeral service immediately following at 2:00.

The family would request that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the ALS Society of Windsor-Essex County http://www.alswindsor.ca.

Do not weep for me for I have not gone.
I am the memory that dwells in the heart of those that knew me.