Obituaries

December 29, 1926 – September 20, 2023

It is with heartfelt sadness that we say farewell to Audrey Isobel Laughy. She took her first breath on December 29, 1926, and her last breath on September 20, 2023, at the age of 96 years. Audrey was born to Leonard and Mable Fysh. She was the third child of a family of four with 2 brothers and 1 sister.

As an infant, Audrey kept making a peeping sound so eventually her family started calling her Pete. When she started school, the teacher kept calling her Audrey with no answer coming. The teacher, in frustration, asked her if Audrey was not her name. To this she looked up and nodded yes. She was so used to being called Pete. To this day any mail coming from family is always addressed to Pete Laughy.

After high school graduation, she and some girl friends headed for Alberta and to U of A to take up nursing. She said that the universities in Saskatchewan were too close to home, these young girls were looking for some freedom.

After graduating from the University of Alberta she would work for the Edmonton Public School Board as a school nurse for 3 years.

In 1952, she had a chance to come to Wanham as a district nurse; how exciting, a cottage of her own and it was for only 3 months. She kept that position for 4 years, prior to resigning to get married. After arriving in Wanham, she met Lawrence Laughy, the love of her life, and it was not long before the wedding bells would ring in 1954 and Audrey lived the vow she took long so ago; “Til death do us part”.

Audrey’s parents were upset that she had moved that far away; her mother thought she was almost in Alaska.

In 1970, Audrey went back to work in general duty nursing at the Holy Cross Hospital in Spirit River, and as she worked along, she soon assumed the position of Director of Nursing.

Audrey was involved in many things, the CWL, Wanham ploughing match, bake sales, blood pressure and foot care for the seniors. All her years at Wanham she was very community minded. So, her 3-month tour of duty at Wanham lasted from 1952 to 2010 when she moved to Grande Prairie to be close to family.

Audrey was predeceased by her husband Lawrence, parents Leonard and Mable Fysh, 2 brothers Bob and Fred, and 1 sister Doris. Surviving her are many nieces and nephews, as well as 2 granddaughters and 1 great grandson.

We want to thank the staff at Mackenzie Place for the wonderful care she received. Audrey often told us that the girls were so good to her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Audrey on Saturday, September 30 at 1pm at St. Patrick’s Church in Wanham. Following the interment, a lunch will be held at the Senior Centre.

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home bcfh.ca 780 830-7742