Audrey Verna Rody

In Loving Memory of

Audrey Verna Rody

July 8, 1936 - March 26, 2024

Always smartly dressed, hair done and kerchief on, Audrey died suddenly on March 26, 2024 at her home in Cochrane at the age of 87.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter Carole (George), her son Eric (Erin) and her grandchildren David, Alexander, Reese and Phoebe.  Audrey is predeceased by brothers Charlie, Arthur(Mable) and Wilfred (Frances) and sisters Ruby (Richard), Kathleen (Leland) and Elsie (Roger).

Audrey was born Audrey Verna Haggart in South River, Ontario on July 8, 1936 to Alice Levina Haggart (nee Watters) and Henry Haggart.  The youngest of seven children, she excelled in school and through the generosity of her older brother Charlie, went into nurse’s training at St. Joseph’s General Hospital School of Nursing in North Bay and officially became a Registered Nurse on January 31st, 1958, at the age of 21.  After graduation Audrey worked briefly at The North Bay Psychiatric Hospital before moving to Cochrane and never left. 

Audrey worked at The Lady Minto Hospital for a total of at least 30 years, mainly in the Medical and Surgical Wards and for a few summers as a Pharmacy Assistant.  She always wore the traditional white nurse’s uniform, white stockings, and white shoes.  She also wore the white nurse’s cap well into the 1990’s.  Although Audrey worked on a casual basis, she was an almost constant presence over the years and Bill Rogers, former Hospital Administrator, described her as “an exemplary nurse, almost to perfection”.  When former patients would say hello to her downtown and she didn’t immediately know who they were, Audrey often remarked “I didn’t recognize them with their clothes on!”.

She faithfully attended school concerts, her son Eric’s hockey and basketball games and her daughter Carole’s musical activities from elementary school to adulthood.  Although Audrey lived far from her grandchildren, she enjoyed hearing about David and Alexander’s judo activities and Reese and Phoebe’s hockey.

Audrey mastered the art of the long telephone conversation, first with her best friend Lois Cassidy and later with her daughter Carole.  A lot could be discussed in the course of 3 hours!  Never a spendthrift, but she was known to fly off to Toronto on occasion for a weekend of shopping or to take the train to Kapuskasing for a day of shopping with her young daughter in tow. 

In retirement she became a reluctant dog owner, but soon came to love her basset hounds; first Begley and later Lilly.  A proud and fiercely independent woman, Audrey lived in her own home into her 88th year.

Interment will take place at The Cochrane Cemetery in the summer with a Celebration of Life to follow.

If you wish to send online condolences to Audrey’s family, to share your memories or photos of Audrey please visit www.irvineandirvinefuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
Irvine & Irvine Funeral Home – Northern Crematorium
705-272-3239

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