Obituary of Audrey Leveda Thornton

Audrey Leveda Thornton (Slack), in her 92nd year, passed peacefully at sunrise on June 3rd, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family at Royal Gardens in Peterborough and serenaded by the birds’ dawn chorus.  She was predeceased by her loving husband, Don in 2023 after 68 years of marriage. After a long and heartbreaking battle with Alzheimer’s, Mom is finally at rest, free from the suffering that gradually took her from us.

Audrey was born on October 8th, 1934 in Maccan, Nova Scotia and remained a true maritime girl at heart. She trained as a secretary while living in Fredericton, New Brunswick. There she met and married the love of her life, Don, who was studying Civil Engineering at UNB.

Don and Audrey then moved to Ontario, where they raised their 5 children while living in North Bay, Stratford and Brampton. Audrey worked as a library assistant at the Brampton Public Library and the local school board. In 1997 Don and Audrey retired to Buckhorn, where they had cottaged for many years. 

Family was at the heart of Audrey’s life, and she was never happier than when her entire family gathered around her dining table. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and enjoyed cheering them on at many a music, school or sporting event. Audrey loved nature, travel and card games and was a baker and knitter extraordinaire. She was an avid curler, UCW member, and enjoyed theatre and symphony. Audrey was a member of Wesley United Church and was an honorary member of the BEL Rotary Club. 

Audrey was a devoted and loving mother to Deb (Brian), Bruce (Vivian), Patricia (Theo), Heather (Tom), and Karen (Dave). She was a cherished grandmother to Shawn, Tiffany (Kyle), Brandon (Mackenzie), Derek (Courtney), Christine, Jeremy (Sasha), Caelan, Brad (Zoe), Luke (Emily), Sarah (Dimitri) and Ryan (Katy) and a very special GG to Haddie and Grace. 

Audrey is survived by her brother-in-law Robert Thornton (Jean) and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Roy and Bertha Slack, and her siblings; Ida, Don, Ruth and Lester.

Our family is forever grateful for the exceptional care that Audrey received from the compassionate staff at Royal Gardens, who treated her with dignity and kindness. We would also like to thank the Alzheimer’s Society, the GAIN clinic, the fantastic Ontario Health atHome staff, PRHC staff, Rev. Rodney Smith-Merkley, Dr. Vilcini, Dr. Turner and many others who have provided support during this challenging journey. It truly does ‘take a village’ to support an aging loved one through such a journey. 

To our dear Mom: We will miss you terribly but take great comfort in knowing that your struggles are now over and you are at peace. After so many years of searching, you have finally found your way ‘home’ and are reunited with Dad. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to THE HENDREN FUNERAL HOME – LAKEFIELD CHAPEL. A Graveside service will take place at Lakefield Cemetery (1262 Buckhorn Road) on August 20^th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception in the Heritage Room at Hendren Funeral Home (66 Queen Street, Lakefield). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Society, Wesley United Church or The Canadian Cancer Society by calling 705-652-3355 or by visiting www.hendrenfuneralhome.com.