Obituaries

We are both relieved and saddened to announce the passing of our mother Audrey (Audie) Frances Binder (nee Chisholm), age 92, born August 20, 1933 in Port Hawkesbury, NS.

Audrey was a consummate teacher. She attended Normal College in Truro and began her career at the age of 18 in a one room schoolhouse in Point Tupper. After taking time to raise a family, she returned to teaching at Hammonds Plains Consolidated School where she remained for 26 years. During this time she acquired her Bachelor of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University as a mature student. Her greatest lessons, however, were taught through her daily actions and words, her generosity of spirit and her exemplary kindness.
Everyone who met her recognised what an exceptional person she was.

Audrey cherished time spent with family and was the proverbial glue hosting all major celebrations. Until the onset of her decline, she remained a lover of life and was blessed with good health and boundless energy for which she regularly expressed gratitude.

Well into her 80s, she was an avid bowler with the teachers league, loved listening to music and loved to dance. A devout Catholic, she was deeply involved at Holy Apostles Parish Saint Marguerite, serving as a lector, choir member, and an active participant in the ladies auxiliary. She also delivered meals on wheels to a local seniors residence, joking that she was getting her name in for when she needed care herself.

At the age of 84, she flew solo to Bangkok to spend time with her daughter, Tam. She loved every minute of the exotic experience which included, after ringing in the New Year until the wee hours, a full day of trekking with elephants arranged through the Elephant Nature Park. The trekking guide was alarmed by her visible age, a concern she assuaged within minutes by her nimble steps and limitless energy.

At the age of 88, she moved into a retirement community and was dubbed Speedy within days of her arrival. Those who knew her well also know that she was proud of the moniker TOB (Tough Old Broad) until she was no longer able to remember it, a title she earned after facing major facial surgery for skin cancer with characteristic grace and grit, insisting on lunch and a drink before returning home.

She spent the last year and a half of her life at Northwood Halifax Campus. We extend deep gratitude to the exceptional staff of 8C for their exemplary kindness and care, with special recognition to Dr. Clair Nowlan and Ms. Joei Anne Uy, RN.

Audrey was predeceased by her husband, Lowell; daughter, Colleen; and sister, Marie Kelly. She is survived by her daughter, Tam Fawcett (Glenn); son, Lee; and sisters Loretta Walker and Anne Langlois.

To our beautiful mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and cheerleader, you leave a big hole that no one will fill. Thankfully, nothing can take the precious memories of the remarkable person you were.

A celebration of life will be held in July 2026. Details to be announced at a later date.