A lifetime resident of the Williamsburg area, Audrey Pearl Casselman passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Sunday, April 28, 2013. She was 85.
Audrey was born at Strader Hill on June 29, 1927, to her parents Wilbert and Pearl Strader (nee Robinson).
The youngest child of five, Audrey had two older brothers Mahlon and Lyell and two older sisters Ruth and Doris. They all took part working on the farm while attending the Strader Hill school.
Mahlon was the only sibling to leave home, and he did so to pursue a career in teaching. Audrey milked cows by hand with Bill Casselman’s sister Gertie. They sang while they milked and wore their high heel shoes at the same time to break them in.
Bill and Audrey’s first encounter was when Audrey’s brother Lyell started courting and eventually married Bill’s sister Gertie.
Bill and Audrey dated for a number of years before being married in Lancaster, on December 9, 1950. Following their marriage they went on a three-day honeymoon which was the longest holiday they took in their 62 years of marriage.
Audrey and Bill’s time together became more exciting with the birth of twin girls Connie and Carole a year after they were married. One year later, they were blessed with the arrival of their third daughter Gail. Their family was complete when their son Alan was born five years later.
Audrey inspired her family with her strength and will to live life to the fullest. She battled and survived cancer twice and the sudden loss of their daughter Gail at a young age due to a motor vehicle accident.
Audrey spent her life always taking care of everyone else which included caring for Bill`s aging mother.
She and Bill were blessed with two sons-in-law, Larry and Mike and a daughter-in-law Lorie, four grandchildren Angela, Holly, Jessica and Jordan and two great- grandchildren Crimson and Logan.
Audrey was always busy, baking, sewing, canning, preserving, cleaning all while trying to keep track of her busy children who were often off playing with their cousins.
She was a member of the Williamsburg Woman’s Institute and was always ready and willing to help with any events or social gatherings at the Williamsburg United Church.
Audrey loved to talk about the old days when she and Bill went to the dance hall in Morrisburg or to the old Piccadilly Theatre in Williamsburg.
Audrey’s family has many fond memories that they will cherish forever. She was always so happy and kind to each of them, and she always put their needs ahead of her own. She was a sweet gentle lady who will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
Audrey is survived by her husband Bill, their children Connie (Mike Felker) of Iroquois, Carole (Larry Tuttle) of Ottawa and Alan (Lorie) of Williamsburg.
Audrey was predeceased by her daughter Gail, her brothers Mahlon and Lyell and by her sisters Ruth Hogaboam and Doris Hill.
She was the cherished grandmother to Angela, Holly, Jessica and Jordan and great-grandmother to Crimson and Logan. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of service.
Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 1st at 11 a.m., with Rev. Paul Vavasour officiating. Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg.
Pallbearers were Jordan Casselman, Dale Casselman, Gary Whitteker, Burrill Harriman, Derek Cheng and Nathan Billings.
Donations to Winchester District Memorial Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Society would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.
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