Audrey Morrice

MORRICE _ Audrey Attril 1928 - 2007 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Audrey Attril Morrice (nee Tazzman) on February 4, 2007. Audrey was born July 25, 1928 in London, Ontario, the sixth of eight children of Gertrude and Robert Tazzman. Audrey settled in Calgary in 1948 where she met and married George. They enjoyed fifty-two wonderful years together before George was taken from her February 4, 2002. A loving mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend, she will be greatly missed by her four loving daughters, Dianne Curtis (Rusty), Dianne Wilkinson (Hal), Christine Burtt (David) and Linda Morrell (Paul); as well as her sister, Lillian Davey (Herb); sister-in-law, Jean Tazzman; and five devoted grandchildren, Christina, Erin (Jason), Stephanie, Jaime and Geordan. Audrey was also predeceased by her two brothers, Robert and Bruce; four sisters, Margaret, Charlotte, Violet, and Emma; and her infant son and granddaughter. Audrey was an active member of the Woodcliff United Church, its choir and surrounding community. She spent many years teaching art and volunteering with troubled women and seniors before finding her calling working with the brain injured. Instrumental in pioneering brain injury rehabilitation in Western Canada, Audrey helped survivors of severe brain injuries rebuild their lives and rejoin their communities. In 1978, Audrey and her dear friend, Alice Laine, founded the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI), an organization dedicated to providing services for individuals who were deemed to have no further rehabilitation potential. For the past thirty-five years, Audrey's positive, common-sense approach has impacted thousands of people: individuals who have survived a brain injury; their families; volunteers; colleagues; and the community. Audrey's leadership, mentorship and commitment to improving the quality of life of individuals living with the effects of brain injury are exemplary. In a most humble and spirited way, she has inspired, energized and brought hope to many people. Audrey has also unselfishly shared her insights, experience, and techniques with healthcare professionals, families and volunteers both nationally and internationally. In December 2004, the nation recognized Audrey's drive and dedication by awarding her the Order of Canada which was preceded by many other prestigious awards including the Alberta Order of Excellence, Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from the University of Calgary, Global Woman of Vision, Induction into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame, the Sir Fredrick Haultain Prize for contributions to the humanities, the Rotary International Paul Harris Award for humanitarian contributions to the peoples of the world and the City of Calgary Citizen of the Year Award. Audrey's dedication in furthering her work, through the establishment of the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured ensures that her legacy carries on for years to come. Audrey will be lovingly remembered by her family as the "Best Mom in the World", and by her extended ARBI family as the "Mother of all Volunteers". Relatives, friends and colleagues are invited to a celebration of Audrey's life at Woodcliff United Church, 5010 Spruce Drive S.W., on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the church. If friends so desire, tributes in Audrey's honour may be made directly to Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI), at 3412 Spruce Drive S.W., T3C 3A4.