HAYWARD, Audrey Jean

May 3, 1934 - April 23, 2021 Audrey Jean Hayward (nee Banerd) 1934 -- 2021 passed peacefully on April 23 at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, attended by family and with the sounds of birdsong in the room. She is survived by her husband of 63 years Herbert, siblings Blanche, Adair, and Dolores, sons Ryan (Liz) and Owen (Sandra), and grandchildren Annie, Emily, Courtenay, Sophia, and Tyrone.

Born in Kipling, Saskatchewan, she later moved with her family to Vancouver. She attended John Oliver High School and UBC (B.A. 1956, Sociology and Geography). She led a full life dedicated to family and friends. She attended the Lutheran Church and volunteered at the Coast Mental Health Foundation.

She played softball and loved drawing birds and plants. She doted on her grandchildren, guiding their artistic development through arts and crafts, and encouraging the development of their baseball skills. In later years she enjoyed sitting on the porch, taking in the sights and sounds of the neighbourhood. A neighbour described her like this: quirky, funny, thoughtful, deep; a real character, a joy to know, to share a quick laugh, a hearty hello.

She travelled to Paris, Bonn, and New Jersey to visit her family. She had great empathy for those less fortunate. She was ever-curious, especially with respect to psychology and mental health.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Coast Mental Health

Foundation.