Audrey Syme

LT A. Syme
Audrey "Frankie" Syme, originally of Brafferton, Yorkshire, England passed away 14 Jan 2025 at the age of 94.
Frankie's life was full of adventures- from seeing Nazi bomber planes while walking to school all the way to racing walkers at a peaceful park with her great grandson- with Audrey, "Frankie," "Mum", or "Granny," there was never a dull moment.
Born to WWI infantryman/home guardsman William E. Frankland and Gertrude (Gertie) White, Audrey grew up on a small farm and in childhood milked cows, collected fresh eggs, walked to school with her gas mask, saved chocolate bars from a derailed train with her brother, and dodged a Nazi bomber looking for the "white horse" (after she realized it wasn't, a Red Cross).
She often reminisced on the sound of pigs and Ben's (the cart horse) sticking his head in the kitchen window for a lump of sugar. Those that know her knew she wasn't *exactly* an animal person- so it was no surprise when her dad offered her a chicken farm at age 18 she fled to attend nursing school in the big city. (Harrogate general hospital) Graduated SRN 7-12-1953.
She attended nursing school; she learned hands-on from "Matron" (who she and her classmates accidentally de-wigged at some point) until graduating and passing her state RN license exam.
Audrey worked in plastic surgery before joining the RAF Princess Mary's 1955-1958. In the Air Force she was chosen for her skills to be the lone nurse for a patient in Baghdad, Iraq on the iron lung until she was stable enough to be airlifted back to the UK.
While in the warzone, Frankie learned of pencil bombs left on desks and grenades thrown through base housing windows by rebels in Jordan, Cyprus, and the Suez Canal Action 1956.
In 1957 she met her future husband Flight Lt "Tam" Syme in Cyprus. (Frankie never let anyone forget how she beat out her exotic competition, Flavia). After a whirlwind romance, she was to leave Cyprus but found herself struggling to leave her new love. An Officer told her to "make up your bloody mind, Sister" so she deplaned and jumped in a car with Tam. In Dec 1957 they wed in Brafferton, accompanied by Maid of Honor and best friend, Marjorie and Tam's best man, Sir Erik. From then on, she became lovingly known as "Mouse" to husband "Trout".
In 1958 she paused her career to raise her 2 children and became "Mum".
She returned to Nursing in Changuinola in 1969, treating Chiquita Banana employees at the local clinic in the Republic of Panama. At the clinic they saved lives and limbs, as well as delivered babies. No one can forget her stories "quantos anos tiene," and the man who unwrapped his bandaged arm and it fell off from a machete blow.
She hosted numerous families in her home on stilts during the great flood of April 1970. Tam would rescue them in the family boat "Frankie" and bring them home, and Audrey would warm them, get them settled, and fed. She embarked on a new career as a teacher 1978-86 in Puerto Armuelles. She then served as a host/diplomat and mother for foreign and local flight students of the Omani Air Force 1988-1991 on the Strikemaster.
Frankie owned homes in Biggin Hill England, Mijas Spain, Pinellas and Pasco counties Florida. She visited 66 nations in her travels and decided Florida was the best place to live in the world. An avid golfer with a few holes in one, she finally helped Tam achieve his dream of living on a golf course. In their home Frankie hosted champagne parties after New Year's Day bike rides, cooked for her family and friends, and never ever missed a day setting the table for breakfast.
Granny and Grandad traveled the world (at times with family and friends) in their later years seeing everything from the pyramids, the Great Wall of China, to Ayers Roc Australia. The pair finally landed in Navarre, FL where they adventured up and down Estrada Street. Granny was always up for anything - whether it be teaching her son how to make her mother's Xmas cake or visiting the nail salon with her granddaughters or Suzie. She never stopped adventuring and everywhere she went, people knew and loved her as Audrey, Frankie, Mum, and Granny. Lifelong friends were made along the way- Marjorie, Sir Erik, Clyde & Phyllis, Chris M, Laverne, Zillah, Pauline & Leonard, Rick and Doris, Jutta & Kerry, Kieran & Toni to name a few.
In her own words- "we've lived a great life, haven't we, Tam?"
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas "Tam"; her parents; older brother, William; and younger brother, Lawrence.
Frankie is survived by daughter, Anne; son, Ian (USAF retired); "Auntie Steph"; granddaughters, Rachel and Alyssa (Baird); grandsons, Charlie (Cara) and Duncan; and great grandchildren, Remi, Harvey, Fraser, Finn and Colin.
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