Audrey Jean Clement Gibson

If anyone ever cared, really cared for someone else it would have to be Audrey Jean Gibson. She was a warm hearted and well liked individual, and these wonderful traits came easily to her because she was such a sociable and amiable person, someone who was always making certain that those around her had whatever they needed. Audrey was a talkative person who was tactful at all times but typically said what she meant.

      Audrey was born at home on Olive Avenue in Oshawa, Ontario. She was the daughter of Garfield and Mahalia Clement. Audrey was raised in Oshawa, Ontario. During her childhood she learned to be reliable and respectful. Audrey was an obedient child who wanted to win the favor of others. She found it easy to show sympathy and to perform kind acts for others. These admirable qualities would become a part of Audrey's personality throughout her life.

      Though Audrey was frequently the one to initiate games and activities with her family, she was also quite often the family member who took the role of referee. Audrey was a peace-maker with an ability to resolve all sorts of family conflicts. In fact, Audrey worked conscientiously to keep those typical family spats at bay. Audrey was raised with eight siblings. Bill, Greta, John, Ken, Elsie, Anne, Len and Charlie. Audrey and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they cared deeply for one another.

      Audrey was a faithful and loving person. Some would even call her sentimental and a romantic at heart. Her kindness and consideration radiated an aura of warmth to those around her. Audrey cared for what others thought and carried that into her marriage. On July 30, 1949 Audrey married John Wellington Gibson at Westminster United Church of Oshawa, Ontario. Compassionate and devoted, Audrey worked hard to make her new life partner happy.

      Harmony was important to Audrey and she made every effort to maintain it with her family. Audrey was blessed with four children, three sons, John, Jeff and Len, and one daughter Janet. They were also blessed with ten grandchildren, Jeremy, Andrew, Doug, Daniel, Adam, Robert, Shawna, Matthew, Jessica and Kristen and four great grandchildren, Dana, Trenton, Gabriel and Alexis. Audrey was always conscious of the feelings others had. She was reasonable and understanding. As a result, Audrey was quick to solve disputes and did so without much fuss. Her secret of success in this area was simple: Audrey would listen before she would act.

      Taking her work seriously came naturally to Audrey, and she expected the same from those around her. Audrey was a good team player, someone who was born to cooperate with others. She was what some would call a “people person” and it was demonstrated in her good communication skills. Audrey was a steady worker, one who was realistic about schedules. The kind of details that would give family members and work colleagues fits were situations that Audrey handled well. She could understand the details without getting lost in the broad “big picture.” She brought harmony to her work environment, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done, while always maintaining respect for her colleagues. She was employed as a chambermaid at Parkwood where she met her future husband buy Audrey's primary occupation was as a mother and a homemaker.

           Her keen interest in things that affected the lives of other people led Audrey to become actively involved in professional and community organizations. Because she was outgoing and worked well with others, Audrey did her fair share of volunteer work. And she wouldn’t shy away from taking the lead on committees or events, either. She was a born list maker and was great at creating and sticking to schedules. Throughout her later years, Audrey was an active member of the Fiddle Club and the Oshawa Hospital Auxiliary since 1985.

     Her high moral standards and traditional values served Audrey well with her faith. Religion and faith were important to her. She was a member of the Trulls Road Free Methodist Church. During that time, she was in the Happy Gang. She was well respected because she was such an outgoing individual who sought to help in any manner she could.

      A generous and compassionate woman, Audrey accomplished much during her lifetime. Though she never set out to gain individual recognition, Audrey was recognized and given awards for her many and varied efforts throughout her life. Her most prestigious award was 'Grandmother of the Year'.

      Not only did Audrey enjoy traveling, but she also seemed to enjoy planning all of those trips and vacations. She was a facilitator who could easily make up a near perfect schedule of all of the things to do and see. She rarely tired of going back and revisiting her favourite places. Favourite vacations included traveling across Canada with her sisters, cottaging in Bancroft and cruises with her son and his wife.

      Audrey passed away on August 28, 2010 at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa, Ontario. She is survived by all of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and sister's Elsie, Anne and brothers Len and Ken. Services were held at Oshawa Funeral Home. Audrey was laid to rest in Mount Lawn Cemetery in Whitby, Ontario.

      Audrey was a fantastic conversationalist who could engage just about anyone in a discussion. And whenever she said something, she meant it. Audrey was a down to earth person, outgoing and gregarious. She was without question the type of person who enjoyed experiencing things first hand. She was practical and sensible, but what friends and family will remember her for most is the fact that she was so understanding and kind. Everyone whose life she touched will miss Audrey Jean Gibson.

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GIBSON, Audrey Jean (nee Clement)

(Long time member of the Whitby Old Time Fiddle Club and 25 year member of the Oshawa Hospital Auxiliary.) Peacefully and with grace, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, August 28th, 2010 at Lakeridge Health-Oshawa, in her 81st year, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Beloved wife of the late John W. (Jack) Gibson. Loving mother of John and his wife Christine, Jeff and his wife Irene, Leonard and his wife Mina, and Janet and her husband Dennis Goldie. Dear G.G. to Jeremy (Wendy), Andrew (Kendra), Douglas (Karie), Daniel (Amy), Adam (Vicki), Robert (Agnes), Shawna (Adam), Matthew, Jessica, Kristen, and great grandma of Dana, Trenton, Gabriel and Alexis. Dear sister of Ken Clement, Elsie Henderson, Anne Franklin and Len Clement and the late Greta, Bill, John, and infant Charlie. She will also be lovingly remembered by Ruby and Jim Garvock, Tim and Char Poulton, special friend, Alex Fairgrieve, nieces, nephews, many friends and the thousands of lives who were touched by her caring and generous spirit. Friends may call at OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West, Oshawa (905-721-1234), for visitation on Tuesday, August 31st from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 P.M. Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Wednesday, September 1st at 11:00 A.M. Interment to follow at Mount Lawn Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations may be made to SickKids Foundation, Lung Association Durham or Lakeridge Health, Palliative Care.