Obituary of Mrs. Audrey Laing

After abdominal complications, Audrey Normadene Laing, aged 85, died peacefully on March 16, 2018 at Scarborough Grace Hospital, surrounded by loved ones.  Audrey was born October 18, 1932, in Toronto, the daughter of the late Norman and Minnie Brown.

In 1950, after graduating from Jarvis Collegiate, she began her 31-year career at the Toronto Star in the Cashier’s Cage.  In 1959, Audrey married George D. Laing, after meeting him at a dance on the Danforth.  She spent a brief period staying home to raise her two children, Norman and Heather. Finally, she retired from the Circulation Department, and began taking care of her grandchildren.

Audrey loved reading and was a passionate advocate of political and social issues that impacted Canada.  She travelled across Canada by bus, with her best friend of 75 years, Trudy Wolfe, and then by car on several occasions with her family, exploring the country and sharing that knowledge with her children. 

Her daily ritual consisted of some sort of mental challenge.  She spent many hours completing the Toronto Star crossword puzzles, reading the paper from cover to cover, and watching the news. If there was an issue, Audrey knew about it and had an opinion. She also loved playing Trivia Pursuit, Euchre and Bridge. 

In her younger years, she was an active tennis player, and became an avid tennis enthusiast.  She devoted her time to watching matches on TV and often attended games at the Canadian Open. 

Audrey thoroughly enjoyed every activity that her children, and grandchildren, were involved in, fiercely supporting and protecting them.  Her undying love for each of her family members held fast throughout her 85 years.  Our sense of loss is a void that will never be filled.

Audrey is survived by her husband, George, son Norman and wife Heather Laing, and daughter Heather and husband Billy Peterson; 5 Grandchildren, in order, Jaimie, Nicole, Ashley, Jack, and Hughie; niece Sue Neely and son Matthew; nephew Keith and wife Ida, and other relatives and close friends.

There will be a Celebration of Life for family and friends at Ogden Funeral Home at 4164 Sheppard Ave E, in Scarborough, on Sunday, March 25, from 12-2 p.m. Flowers are welcome, or memorial donations can be sent to the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund by phone 416-869-4847, or online @ www.charities.thestar.com.