Sister Audrey was born in Hamilton in 1927, the daughter of the late Wilfred and Mary Lucinda (Houlihan), Burns. She was predeceased by her brother William, his wife Jean and her nephew, Steven. Audrey was proud of having grown up in an area of Hamilton known as “Corktown”, a section of the city with many people of Irish ancestry.
In choosing a life path Sister Audrey generously responded to a call to religious life and the desire to serve God and neighbour. She brought energy and compassion to all her ministries. She began her years of service at Mount St, Joseph, Hamilton, where she assisted in the care of young girls, pre-schoolers to mid-teens.
From 1962 until 1985 Sister Audrey worked in the Health Care field. She served as an RNA at St. Joseph’s Hospital Brantford, House of Providence (St. Joseph’s Villa) Dundas, St Joseph’s Chronic Hospital Guelph and St. Joseph’s Home Guelph where she also served in the role of Administrator.
In 1976 Sister began working on qualifications for work in Pastoral Services sharing her pastoral skills at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Guelph.
It was in Guelph that Sister Audrey moved into Parish Ministry. She served in Holy Rosary Parish, St John’s and St Raphael’s Parish Burlington and Holy Rosary Parish in Milton. In her retirement she continued to volunteer at Allendale LTC Facility in Milton and Creek Way LTC, Burlington.
When the Hamilton Residence closed in 2020, she moved with other sisters to Tansley Woods Retirement Village in Burlington and in September,2022 Sister was welcomed into the London Residence.