Audrey Thirlaway February 28, 1937 - December 22, 2013
Who among those who have attended Caux meetings in recent years does not remember Audrey sitting in her wheelchair in the dining room year after year, surrounded by her husband Brian and people of all generations.
She left us on the night of December 22, 2013 at the age of 76. At her memorial service on January 13, Tom Jones paid tribute to her and it is from his text that we draw large excerpts and the following biographical material.
Tom Jones begins: "A good friend of mine said of Audrey that she was the bravest person he had ever met. I agree. For most of her adult life, she suffered from a painful and debilitating arthritis disease, making her permanently dependent on medication. However, she radiated warmth and caring for others."
Coming from a very modest family of five children, she started working at the age of 15 as an office worker in a metalworking cooperative. Following a company merger, she found herself as an employee in the same factory where Brian worked. They were married in 1974. The first signs of Audrey's rheumatoid arthritis appeared in her 30th or 31st year. The disease developed to the point that 10 years later she had to give up her job.
Tom continues: "I met Audrey and Brian in 1980 in Darham County where Brian was working in a steel mill. He was part of a group of trade unionists who were campaigning against its closure. When the mill closed, it was a difficult time for all the communities in the area. Some of the men started a workers' cooperative that still exists today. Brian was the first secretary, taking on all sorts of responsibilities, including being a sales representative and service agent for the niche products that the co-op created and manufactured. This meant that Audrey was often left alone waiting for Brian to return at any time of the day or night. She was always very patient.
Over the years, Audrey and Brian became increasingly interested in the work of Moral Re-Armament and were of great service in the operation of the conference centre in Tirley Garth, England, where Audrey's warmth and heart were considerable assets. There, and later at the Initiatives of Change meeting centre in Caux, the couple made thousands of friends. I can see Audrey and her friend Aileen sitting in the back of the big room at Caux, participating in some of the most memorable moments of the meetings. At meals, they often occupied a table in the corner of the dining room with room for those who wanted to join them - and these were often busy, "important" people who just wanted to take a break and relax.
At Caux, Audrey also took part for many years in the preparation of the afternoon tea. Countless people have shared their memories of Caux or Tirley Garth in numerous messages. Many are young people, coming to Caux as interns, and returning year after year with more responsibility for the practical operation of the conferences - representing Ukraine, Baltic countries, Moldova and other regions, not to mention interpreters and other Caux colleagues. Her memory will remain alive in our hearts.
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