Audrey Dale Callan
1982 – 2023
The family of Audrey Dale Callan is heartbroken to announce her sudden passing on January 4th, 2023, in Fort McMurray, Alberta. She was only 40 years old.
She is survived by her two treasured daughters, Maycie Callan and Harper MacLellan and stepson, Seth MacLellan; father, Melvin Callan (Connie Mueller) and mother, Sheila Callan; sister, Sarah Callan (Robert MacLellan); and nieces: Ryleigh, Morgan, Jessie, and Taylor. She was predeceased, by her grandmother, Lorraine Marie Woodcock and grandfather, John Dennis Martin Harper.
Audrey grew up in Fort McMurray. She assessed as being highly gifted when she started school, but her superpower was making friends. She made countless friends while attending Dickensfield and Westwood Schools, many remaining in her life decades later. She loved art, winning a prize in high school for a beautiful angel sculpture she spent months perfecting. Upon graduation, Audrey went on to become a journeyman millwright working at Suncor, Syncrude and other companies. She was proud of breaking ground as a female and Métis tradeswoman. Above all, her two daughters were her proudest achievements.
Audrey lit up the world. She was fearless, brave, intelligent, fun loving, empathetic, funny and kind. She loved her family so much and her children were the core of her being. Breathtakingly beautiful, she always tried to look her best. She had countless friends, but few knew how fragile she was inside. She was kind, frequently offering a temporary refuge for friends in her home. Walking in nature, boating with family, or getting together with her friends were her favourite activities. She was always trying to master something new, lately, becoming an excellent cook. Astronomy and science were another recent obsession. She adored all types of music, but her favourite was punk rock which she usually had blasting on the nearest speaker. Audrey dreamed of touring the world and went on trips to exotic places whenever possible. Despite being a talented millwright, she still wanted to add more tickets to her skillset. She had the soul of an artist. She was always doing something artistic: painting, decorating, writing, sculpting – creating beauty in the world.
From early adolescence Audrey struggled with severe mental illness. Before diagnosis, she turned to drugs to treat her symptoms, eventually developing addictions that vastly exacerbated her illness. As her illness worsened, she was unable to care for her daughters but always hoped she would get well enough to be a bigger part of their lives. She fought so hard, rebuilding her life, only to have it fall to pieces again and again as her illness and addiction progressed. Judgement by those who did not understand her struggle caused her enormous pain. We tried to love her pain away and surrounded her with all the support and help she would allow. Audrey heroically fought her twin demons until they finally took her life.
A Visitation will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday February 18, 2023 at MacDonald Island Park, 1 C. A. Knight Wy, Fort McMurray, AB, in the Miskanaw Ballroom.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday February 18, 2023 at MacDonald Island Park, in the Miskanaw Ballroom with a Reception to follow.
The Miskanaw Ballroom is located on the second floor of the MacDonald Island Park. It can be reached via the stairs near the Second Cup or through the Miskinaw Golf Course Entrance stairs. The elevator is located near the curling rink.
I hope all her friends can come to see her and say goodbye. If anyone would like to make donations in Audrey’s name, please consider the Salvation Army, who helped her so much, or the Mark Amy Treatment Centre.
She is Gone
by David Harkins
You can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her only that she is gone,
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what she’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Audrey was such a great person. One of my favorite things about her was her ability to instantly light up the room with her positive energy. I have fond memories of our younger years when we were growing up together.. My condolences to her family and friends.
I was able to catch up with some years ago in Edmonton and we talked for hours, laughed, and reminisced about when we were younger. One thing she always held so well was her magnetic presence.
She will always hold a very special place in my heart for the amazing person she was.
Joe B.
I miss you Audrey💔 R.I.P Baby girl , love you 💔😭
Auntie Sandi
Audrey you always opened up to me and you even tried to research my health issues to help me foresee a different way to help me. You were one tough woman and braver than anyone I know to always be who you were and thru your demons and strengths you stayed true to you. You will deeply be missed my friend. I truly hope you are at peace now visit anytime my girl.
To my Beautiful Granddaughter Maycie and sister Harper and family.
There’s no words Nan can say today to take away your pain but your mom always had a special place in my heart and when ever I visited Fort Mac I always enjoyed our visit and we always kept In contact with each other. I know from the bottom off my heart she loved you girls with all her heart. She always had a smile that would light up a room so you have to keep that smile going when ever you enter a room that’s what she would want. Stay strong for each other and Nan loves you from the bottom off my Heart. Audrey RIP until we meet again.
To Maycie and family
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mom, hold on to your precious memories that well see you true the days ahead stay strong that’s what she would want you to do. And keep her smile going. Love Great Nan and Pop we love you very much.
You are so missed, darling girl. I dreamed you were with Grandma and Grandpa. You were happy and smiling in that dream, and still, ever so fashionable! 🙂 It brought me great comfort to know you were with two people who loved you so deeply from the time you were a little babe in arms.
To Maycie and family
So sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom she well always share a special place in your heart and her smile will give you the strength to go on during the days ahead. May God Bless. RIP
Audrey.
Deepest condolences to you and your family Sheila. She certainly was a beautiful woman and this tribute is so touching. May all of your precious memories of her wrap you and her girls in the warmest hug when you need it most.
Dear Mel and family. Some lights go out too soon. We didn’t know Audrey but know that your hearts are hurting and want to send our love.You are in our hearts and mind with love.
I love you mom. I wish I had told you that more. I wish I hadn’t dismissed you so easily, and that I replied to each of your texts. For a long time I had been angry at you, but over the years I came to understand most of it wasn’t your fault. I was happy you were still able to be in my life. I just wish I hadn’t taken that for granted. It shouldn’t have taken this much in order to finally tell you that I forgive you. I forgave you so long ago, but for some reason I never told you. I’m sorry. I love you to the moon and back too.
You are a beautiful soul and your mom loved you to the ends of the earth. I’m so sorry for your loss. Stay strong and keep on keeping on. You were both failed. Her life and her death will serve a bigger purpose. ❤️
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
I truly believe the love that exists between two hearts is a sacred melody that can never be heard (or sung) by anyone else. Only those two hearts can ever speak the language that exists between them.
For this reason, I also believe that your mom knows you love and forgive her.
also believe her love will never stop being a part of your life.
Physics teaches us that energy does not die. What is Love, if not energy?
May your mom’s love continue to wrap around you and bring you all the best in life she would want and wish for you.
And may your love also wind its way to her so she knows — she didn’t need to be perfect, flawless, or mistake-free to be loved. She was loved in spite of those things and will love you too, even in the moments you’re not perfect. Now, and always.
Cherished Audrey
I am filled with Nostalgia and bliss having been blessed to have known you for all the years that I did. You were there during my first years of sobriety and again through my physical rehabilitation, you were always a light shining in the dark. Some things never change, the lessons I learned with you as my friend will never be forgotten and your light will always be there especially in the darkest of months.
The strength you helped me remember, the fortitude you showed me to recognize, the soul that has always been there, the heart that felt broken but could never be shattered. We’re all qualities within myself that I was reluctant to acknowledge. You remind me that sometimes it’s easy to forget to acknowledge my talents, having you as a part of me makes me a better father.
Thank you Audrey
You will always be Loved
I worked with Audrey for a short time at Suncor.
Please accept my most sincere condolences. She was a vibrant woman. I am sorry for your loss.
Audrey,
I wrote you something after you passed. Last year I wanted to reach out to you and speak with you. I know you added me as a friend and I was so confused as to what was going on and which account was yours. I’m sorry I didn’t reach out again or more. I was going through my own trauma. Your struggle made me not eat, not sleep, and cry. I was so lost myself in my own trauma that I could not help you. I hope you find peace. Your funeral in on my birthday and I’m trying my best to figure out how to come down. Again, I am dealing with my own stuff. If I’m not able to come know I’ll be there in spirit. Your life as a friend, a mother, a daughter, a hard worker, and every other role you have encompassed will not be forgotten.
Audrey and I were close in high school. Unfortunately we lost touch over the years with only random Facebook messages here and there. But the Audrey I remember lit up the room with her smile and just had such an amazing energy about her. She was the most LOYAL friend you could ever ask for. I remember sitting up against the wall during gym class with her, sharing my walkman (pretty sure we both had “cramps” that day haha) and singing along to Screeching Weasels – Cool Kids. I am so happy to see that she kept that punk rock spirit we both had in our high school years. I am deeply saddened by her passing and I hope that she is at peace now. Her family and friends are in my thoughts.