AUDREY STELLA POOLE (SYS)

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AUDREY STELLA POOLE (nee SYS) After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Audrey finally succumbed to her illness on Saturday, September 11, 2004. She was predeceased by her parents, Camiel Sys in 1952 and Amandina Sys in 1956. Audrey was also predeceased by sisters, Marguerite De Baets in 1997 and Jeannette Gheeraert in 1984; and one brother-in-law Armand De Baets in 1999. She is survived by her husband of 37 years David Poole; two sisters, Mary Kesteloot (Andy) and Esther Vermeersch (Homer) brother George (Camilla) and brother-in-law Jules Gheeraert (Pat). Also left to mourn her passing are many nieces and nephews, Dan (Carol), Leonard (Monique), Linda (Joel), Lorraine (Alain), Donna (Ken), Lori (David), Maria (Doug), Raymond (Margaret), Audrey (Leo), Joe (Darrian), Ginny (Mike), Chris (Norm) and Penny (Adrian). Audrey was born in St. Boniface and continued to live on the dairy farm on which she had been raised until 1974. After the sale of this farm she moved with her husband Dave to Grande Pointe, where her parents had first settled when they came to Canada from Belgium. There, Dave and Audrey set up a grain and cattle farm operation. Audrey always had a great love for children and although she did not have any of her own, there was a special place in her heart for the many children of her brothers and sisters. Because she lived with her brother George, his wife Cammy and their daughters before she married in 1967, she was like a second Mom to Ginny, Chris and Penny. Her love for children continued and as her nieces and nephews began to have their own children, she developed a very close and loving relationship with Chris boys, Sean, Brody and Brett. Audrey was a kind and generous lady whose home was open to everyone. She always welcomed friends and family, from near and far, into her home for meals and overnight stays. She took great pleasure and pride in baking, cooking, knitting and entertaining guests. Audrey also enjoyed travelling and visited Belgium, Wales, Holland, United States and several cities and towns in Canada where her nieces and nephews resided. Audrey was a loving spirit with a great zest for life. As a teenager, Audrey learned to sing and play the guitar, and together with her brother George and her nephew Dan, they formed a band. The three of them performed at many weddings, dances and gatherings of family and friends. Her love for music lasted throughout her lifetime and Audrey continued to perform for as long as she was able. She spent countless hours with her siblings children when they were young and, more recently, her great-nephews, teaching them to sing some of the many songs she knew how to play on her guitar. Also of great interest to Audrey was her garden, in which she took much pride, as well as the many animals on her farm. She was lovingly referred to as "Aunty Audrey" by many neighbours and friends of the family. She will be greatly missed by the many people in her life who loved her dearly. A funeral service in honour of Audreys life will be held on Thursday, September 16 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Bernadette Church, 820 Cottonwood Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Audreys memory to Cancer Care Manitoba, PO. Box 2248, Station Main, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 9Z9. The Coutu family in care of arrangements EDWARD J. COUTU LTD. 680 Archibald Street 253-5086

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 15, 2004