Audrey Eudell (née Andrews) Shand

The family of Audrey Eudell Shand (née Andrews) of Cold Lake, Alberta, is deeply saddened to announce the passing of their beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the age of 94 years.

 Audrey Eudell (Andrews) Shand was born May 31, 1930, in Coronation, Alberta, to Hannah (Vikre) and Edward Andrews. It was a difficult time to farm in southern Alberta during the Depression, so in 1934, the family, seeking better conditions, moved north to the area near Cold Lake. Ed’s mother, brother Fred, and his family also moved north at the same time. Ed, Hannah, Lemoine, and Audrey settled on a small farm in the community called Rat Lake.

Audrey spent her childhood on that farm and attended a one-room school within walking distance of the family farm. In her teens and twenties, Audrey loved attending dances at nearby community halls in Rat Lake, Ardmore, Riverhurst, and beyond. She would ride on a tractor with cousins Iris and Kenny Taylor, carrying a change of clothes in a bag, since driving on muddy or dusty roads was messy!

After completing her education, Audrey worked as a school supervisor in nearby communities before moving to Cold Lake in the 1950s, batching with her cousin Helen Andrews. It was in Cold Lake that she met the love of her life, Gerald Shand, who was stationed at CFB Medley working in the Dental Corps. They married August 29, 1959, and their son Gregory was born in 1964. Audrey loved every minute of motherhood! Audrey welcomed Gerry’s three sons and their families for regular summertime visits to Cold Lake.

Greg’s marriage to Lorann and the arrival of their two sons, Benjamin and Matthew, extended her family to the point where there was no more room on the walls or shelves for additional photos!

Life changed for Audrey with Gerry’s passing in 2017, but she was determined to stay in their home and live independently. Audrey felt fortunate to have cousin Mabel (Andrews) Strayer nearby, and the two had daily phone calls to check on one another and to discuss the latest news, sports, and dramas!

Audrey's community rallied around her, allowing her to stay in her cherished home. She was immensely thankful for the compassionate support of her neighbors—Tom, Betsy, Randy, Colleen, Zach, and Kim—and the enduring love of her longtime friends, Freya, Anne, Sandy, Marlene, Lori, and Tammy, who were with her until the very end.

Audrey was a kind, caring, and fun-loving person who enjoyed people. She would cry at the drop of a hat, from either sadness or happiness! She was so appreciative of her friends and neighbors who did her grocery shopping, helped with yard work, and brought her meals and treats in recent years.

Leaving to mourn with cherished memories are her son: Greg (Lorann) Shand of Prince George, BC; step-sons: Gary Shand of Calgary, AB, Brian (Debbie) Stahl of Calgary, AB, Stephen Stahl of Kalispell, Montana, USA; seven grandchildren: April, Amy, Michael, Keith, Stuart, Benjamin, Matthew; treasured great-grandchildren: Jordan, Jake, Niko, Stephanie, Kailey, Evan, Abbey; niece: Marilyn Brooks and her daughter, Shelby, as well as her children: Emma and Laura; cousins: Mabel Strayer and Robert Andrews.

Audrey was predeceased by her husband of 58 years: Gerald Shand; parents: Ed & Hannah Andrews; sister: Lemoine McKee; grandson: Sean Stahl; cousins: Iris Taylor, Kenny Taylor, Helen Neibauer.

Graveside Service, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., Duclos Memorial Cemetery, Ardmore, AB.

Memorial Tributes in memory of Audrey may be sent to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, 1-020 Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/3248

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