Obituary of Audrey Grace Wellwood

Wellwood, Audrey Grace, age 88, passed away on 19 May 2024 at Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville, Nova Scotia.. She was born on 20 July 1935 to parents Harrison Wellwood and Ermya Hardy.

Audrey graduated from the BA program at Acadia university, after which she left immediately for a three-year teaching post in Japan.  When she returned to Nova Scotia she spent subsequent years teaching at West Kings High School, Auburn, NS. She also obtained a Masters Degree in Librarian Services at the University of Maine in 1972.  This qualified her to take a posting as librarian at Central Kings High School until her retirement from the teaching profession.

Audrey was a member of both The Nova Scotia School Library Association and the Canadian School Library Association. She also had membership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Canadian Nature Federation.

An avid naturalist, Audrey travelled far and wide enjoying the flora and fauna she encountered on the way - Japan, the Canadian North, the Rocky Mountains, the Galápagos Islands - and honing her craft as a truly fine photographer on her travels. Her grasp of composition and technique were truly National Geographic-worthy.  In particular she was a dedicated birdwatcher, her first entry in her Life List being “Canadian Robin” at age five.

Audrey was also an enthusiastic member of CAPS, the Companion Animal Protection Society. Her greatest love in the animal kingdom was cats, and every cat she encountered knew her for it. She worked tirelessly at the Margaretsville animal shelter, diligently cuddling the most needy while she read fine literature to them on her visits. She observed that one of the kittens she was particularly fond of really preferred hearing Keats. Audrey could often surprise us with her quiet understated humor.

Audrey was always active in Church life, regularly attending St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Auburn, and later Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Middleton. She served her churches with great love, in Altar Guilds, in flower preparation (using the ikebana techniques she had gleaned while in Japan), and in the church choirs.  Audrey’s love of music was shown in her churches, in her private studies with various voice teachers and as a competent pianist from an early age, with an eclectic collection of scores in her piano bench… everything from Celtic tunes to Royal conservatory.

Although a private person and known “loner”, Audrey did take part in activities such as the New Minas Parkinson’s Support Group,  the Brooklyn Street Birthday Parties, Book Studies with her good friend and spiritual mentor the late Rev. Lynn Uzans.  Audrey also enjoyed playing Scrabble, apparently at cutthroat level, with her friend Arleen. Her list of personal friends was diverse and eclectic.

In her last years, Audrey learned to value the warmth and value of family life, as she settled into Orchard Villa seniors care home.  One of her last companions there was Max, the resident cat.

In her later years she was so thankful for the friendship and assistance of her good friends Evelyn and Calvin Keddy.

A Service will be held on May 25, 2024 at 2:00pm  in the Old Holy Trinity Church, Middleton.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).