Audrey Pauline Nell (nee Milley)
September 21, 1930 to January 13, 2023
Obituary
To view the funeral service for the late Audrey Nell on Thursday, January 19th at 2:00 p.m. from Gower Street United Church, please follow the link below:
Audrey passed peacefully away, surrounded by loving family, at Tiffany Village on January 13, 2023.
She was predeceased by her brother Chesley, sister Marjorie Jackman and her husband Clarence, step-brother William Matthews and his wife Marie.
Left to mourn, with fond memories, are husband Peter, daughter Karen Nell-Bennett (Andrew); sisters-in-law Helen Milley and Sue Martin (Paul); nieces Hazel Milley, Ruth Kelly (Steve), Shirley White (Bill, deceased), Yvonne King (George), Judy Strong (Tom), and their families, including Laura Strong-Wright and Matthew Strong who spent much time in her company.
Audrey was born in Western Bay, graduated from Memorial University with a degree in Education followed a while later with a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Toronto. She spent her career as an elementary school teacher, both before and after graduation, primarily in St. John’s following work in Corner Brook and elsewhere in Newfoundland.
One of the highlights in her career was spending a year teaching in England under the Queen Mother’s Teacher’s Exchange Program. During that period, she travelled extensively around the UK and Europe, fulfilling her pleasure in travel.
As well as trips to Europe and the Caribbean and some cruises, Audrey made many spring visits to Florida, in the Tampa Bay area. She enjoyed car trips and twice drove across Canada. Audrey was fortunate to be able to travel until recently, when her travel was limited to visiting Karen and Andrew and their cats, particularly Tipsy, in Calgary.
Audrey loved children and enjoyed time spent with her great nieces and nephews in the extended Matthews family. Family gatherings were always occasions for fun and laughter with lots of good food and company enjoyed. Over the years, Audrey played a major role in food preparation for family occasions.
As well as Audrey’s fun loving personality, she was well known for her joy in conversation and quick repartee.
The family would like to thank those who assisted Audrey in her final months, particularly with home care from Rose Somers and the late Madeline Byrne, as well as the staff at Tiffany Village who made her comfortable in her final few days.
Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Wednesday, January 18 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Memorial service will take place at Gower Street United Church on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Interment will occur in Western Bay South U.C. cemetery on Friday, January 20 at 11:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada or to a charity of one’s choice.
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on January 18, 2023
7-9 p.m. on January 18, 2023
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
2:00pm, Thursday January 19th
Gower Street United Church
Interment to follow at the Western Bay South United Church Cemetery on Friday, January 20th at 11:30 a.m.
I am just seeing this now. As a former Vanier student, I have fond memories of Mrs. Nell from my time there in the 1970’s. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends. May your memories bring your comfort.
Peter, Karen and family, we just learned of Audrey’s passing today. We are thinking of you during this difficult time and keeping you close to our hearts. Audrey was a wonderful person with a beautiful smile. May your precious memories comfort you in the days ahead.
Peter, Karen, Judy, and Tom, my sincerest condolences on Mrs. Nell’s passing. She always had a smile for me and my family, and she will definitely be missed at Gower.
Peter and family.
I only learned of Audrey’s passing today. I am so sorry for your and Karen’s loss. I trust the memories you have built over the years together will carry you through these tough times and as well bring eventually joy when reflect in the future. My sincere condolences to you and all the family!
Peter – please accept my heartfelt condolences. Audrey was a lovely person and an excellent teacher.
Judy, Tom and family.
So sorry to hear of Audrey’s passing. I know she was a vital part of your life and she will be sorely missed. Take comfort in your memories and know that others are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Roger and Gail
I am a former student of Mrs. Nell’s. My thoughts are with her family, she touched so many peoples lives. Warm memories.
I ran into a former Vanier classmate last evening, who informed me of Mrs. Nell’s passing. She was a teacher of mine in the late 1980’s. Although saddened to hear of her passing, I’m happy to hear she lived a very long and full life.
Sincerest condolences to the family.
Peter, Karen, Judy, Tom, Laura, Matthew, and all of the family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Audrey’s passing. I know she was a very special part of your family and will be greatly missed. She lived a long, full and productive life and you are fortunate to be left with many wonderful memories. Thinking of you all with deepest sympathy.
Sharon and Graham Penney
Peter, after reading your wife’s obituary she seemed to be a remarkable person who lived life to the fullest. I know you will miss her. My condolences to you, family and friends.
Judy and Tom……condolences on the passing of your loved one.. Will be thinking of you today as you celebrate her life . May Audrey’s gentle soulful RIP.
Peter, and Karen, Judy ,Tom and Families,
My thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.. Audrey was always so warm , funny and kind to everyone around her.
.We will always remember her fondly. . Sending our love.
Peter, Karen, and families,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you journey through these days of sadness. May your beautiful memories of Audrey bring you comfort in the days ahead.
Nick and Donna Marie Kelly
Peter , Karen and family ,
Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of a dear wife , a loving mother , and a special Aunt ..
Audrey was a wonderful person with a very special personality .and loved all her friends .
Rest In Peace ☮️ Audrey . We will always remember you ..
Sincerely ,
Jean and Jack .
Peter and Family
Eileen and I were sorry to hear of Audrey’s passing. Trusting that your memories will sustain you through this time.
Eileen and Sam
Peter, Karen, Andrew, Judy, Tom, Matthew, Laura and families
In everything there is a season and in every life there is a time…….. a time to be born and a time to die, a time to laugh and a atime to morn. Let us remember the smiling, the laughing, the talking, the sharing , the caring and the loving. The world lost a beautiful person when Audy passed. There are many lives she touched in a posataive way and many people with whom she shared her love and kindness. Sometimes there are no words….. only thoughts from the heart. Please know how much she touched our hearts and that she left us with the most wonderful memories of the times we shared. We send our love and will hold you in our hearts and prayers as you go through this very difficult period.
Peter, Karen and other family – we were saddened to ready of Audrey’s death this week and send you our deepest sympathy as you mourn her passing. We have fond memories from ‘Gower’ days and conversations about our kids and Karen and what was happening in their lives. You will have cherished memories of good times shared to comfort you in the days and months ahead. Sincerely, Shirley & Henry Andrews
Peter Karen and Andrew so sorry for your loss. Audrey was a lovely lady who will be missed by all who knew her. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Love Carolyn John and Auntie Betty xx
Judy, Tom, and family – so sorry for your loss. It is always so difficult losing a loved one.
Peter ,Karen and Andrew, my sincere condolences on the death of Audrey. As a newly minted teacher, Audrey took me under her wing at Vanier in 1974, and gave me a guiding hand. I treasure her support and friendship. We had lots of good times and great feeds over the years. Treasure the memories, I know I will.
Jim McGrath
So sorry to hear of Audrey’s passing. She was my Grade 6 and 7 teacher in Grand Bank. Condolences to the family.
To Audrey’s family – Caring thoughts are with you as you celebrate Audrey’s time and influence in your lives. I pray that your precious memories enfold and comfort you . Sincerely – Marion Tizzard
Peter, Karen, Andrew, and Judy , Tom and family, our hearts are shocked and saddened to hear of your big loss. Audrey has touched so many peoples’ lives including ours with her kind, loving, caring and understanding heart. God love her- she was a beautiful soul. We sure admire and love her indelible spirit , her intelligence and her beautiful big heart.
Audrey always welcomed us into her home with genuine warmth and love. She has been part of our ‘family of friends’ since early childhood. We could always count on Audrey to be there for us during the good and not so good times. Whenever we were in St. John’s, Audrey would take us under her wing and show her love and support to us and/or our family. She was so very thoughtful, caring , loving, kind , considerate , big hearted , unselfish, obliging, generous, sensitive – we could go on and on with the most wonderful adjectives to describe Audrey as she truly was one of a kind.
We want to share an Inuit legend with you that we hope will bring you some comfort: Perhaps they are not stars up in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.
Audrey has departed this earth but she truly has not left, for she is still alive in all of your hearts and minds, and through all of you , she lives on as those beautiful and treasured memories will be with you forever.
We stand in our grief with Peter, Karen, Andrew, Judy, Tom and every family member and friend who already miss her presence among us. Remember there is comfort in family and friendship, hope in prayer, peace in love. We are sending an infinite amount of love, hugs and prayers. Audrey will be forever loved; forever missed , forever remembered.
Xoxoxoxo
Peter, My sincere condolences on the passing of your wife. May she Rest In Peace.
Peter & Family
Sorry to hear of your wife’s passing sincere
condolences.
Peter, our sincere condolences to you on your wife’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Peter, We are sending our condolences to you and your family on the passing of your wife.
Peter, Karen, Andrew & Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Audrey’s passing. She was so kind to me as a new teacher at Vanier and I learned a lot from her example over the years we worked together. Don and I have wonderful memories of all the good times we shared. Audrey always enjoyed herself and was a welcoming hostess! I know you will miss her dearly but in time may your memories of a life so well lived bring you comfort. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Peter: So sorry to hear this sad news. Please accept my condolences.
Peter and Family. Ann and I send our most sincere Condolences on the passing of Audrey. As you celebrate her life, may all the great memories be a source of comfort during this sad time. God Bless.
Peter,
Please accept my condolences. I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Peter,
Anne and I are so very sorry to hear about your wife’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy. May she rest in peace.
Sorry to read of Audrey’s passing. We both taught at Curtis Elementary School in the sixties and moved on to Vanier Elementary School when it opened.. Later on my daughter was in her class at Vanier. She was well liked and a great teacher. Condolences to all her family.
Mildred Tucker
Peter I’m so sorry to hear of Audrey’s passing, my condolences to you and your family, Noel
Peter, I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.
Peter and family
Condolences to you on your loss.
Sincerely
Albert Noftall and Linda Giannou
Peter, Shirley, Yvonne, Judy and families
So sorry to hear of Audrey’s passing. Let your wonderful memories of her help you through this difficult time.
Sorry to hear of Audrey’s passing. She was a good friend to Alison and me for many years. She was a longtime and well respected teacher. She will be fondly missed.
Peter and family – We were very saddened to hear of Audrey’s passing. We’ve been out of touch in recent years but have very fond memories of the many good times we have spent together with you both and other friends. Rick and Jennifer
Dear Yvonne and family,
It is hard to lose a family member, especially in a close-knit family like yours. My sincere sympathy to you all on Audrey’s passing.
Peter and family – sorry to hear of Audrey’s passing. May she rest in peace.. Fond memories of the times we met.
To Peter and Karen and all of Audrey’s family Sending you my sincere sympathy in your time of sorrow and loss. As you loved her so you will miss her. Audrey will be greatly missed by her friends at Gower U. Church.
Dear Peter and Karen,
We have never met but Audrey, Laura Williams and I were great friends when we were fellow residents of Bowater House while we’ were students at Memorial. I again met up with Audrey after I had moved to Toronto and she was at U of T for a time. We had lots of laughs , great food and interesting conversations which I will always cherish. Audrey’s sister, Marjorie happened to have been my teacher in elementary school .
Even though we lived so far apart and haven’t been in touch for many years, there will always be a little part of my heart that is very happy when I think of those wonderful times with her so long ago. She was so smart, so interesting, , so kind and had a wonderful sense of humour! Her eyes laughed when she did!
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you journey through this difficult time.
Peter .Karen and family sincere sympathy. May
memories of a life well lived bring you comfort at this sad time.
Peter, Karen, Andrew and all the Matthew’s families. Taylor and I send along our sincere condolences to you all . We especially remember Audrey from all the annual visits to Bonne Bay Pond visiting with Yvonne and George and all their families and ours, so many wonderful memories of fun times together.. Sincerely, Taylor, Carolyn and families,
It brought me much sadness today to hear that Audrey had passed.
Audrey and I had the pleasure of working together on the Hillview / Valleyview Tenants Association in the early 1970’s when we each lived in the respective rental buildings.
We hired a top St. John’s lawyer after we received a massive 25% rental increase from the buildings’ owners. The tenants quickly came onside and we had our monthly rents rolled back to just 5%.
Audrey was the only tenant spokesperson our lawyer, Bob Wells, called to the stand. I remember him saying at the time she was a strong witness and nothing further was needed to be said after she testified.
I haven’t seen Audrey or Peter since 1975 when I moved to Vancouver. But the strong memories of their character and friendship linger with me.
Those were pleasant times and I’ve often asked Judy and Tom Strong about their lives over the years.
I know I join many others in paying tribute to a life lived with grace, dignity and respect.
My condolences to Peter, Karen and the entire Mathews family who now grieve but also celebrate the life of a great Newfoundlander in Audrey.
Peter,Karen and family. Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Audrey . I always enjoyed playing a game of cards with her. She will be missed.
Elsie parsons
Peter & family: Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Remember having her as an Grade 5 English teacher at Vanier and then seeing her at Gower Street United church. She brought back such fond memories of that wonderful school. Such an amazing lady. Bill Taylor
Our sincerest condolences on the passing of Mrs. Nell. We knew her well from her time teaching at Vanier Elementary in St. John’s. Thinking of all you during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear of Audrey’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.