When we contacted Audrey Rilcoe to notify her of being chosen by the judges as Barriere’s 2014 Citizen of the Year, her response was an excited, “Oh, my! Oh, really! Oh, that Jane!”
Rilcoe was nominated by Jane Milburn, who wrote in her nomination submission, “Audrey is a kind and giving person, and is always there to help out. Hospice got a shot in the arm when Audrey joined in 2005. She has done One on One Reading in the school for many years and has also judged for the science fair and heritage fairs at the schools. Audrey has worked very hard for the Barriere Curling Club, held down executive positions, including president, cleaned and painted, organized work bees, phoning committees and is now in charge of youth curling, and she can always be counted on to work on bonspiels and fundraisers. Audrey canvases for the Canadian Cancer Society, both for their spring campaign and for breast cancer, and also for the Alzheimer Walk For Memories. Above all, Audrey is there for people when they need her, taking them to town, cleaning out a shed, or sitting with them through a troubled time or tragedy. She is always willing to lend a hand.”
When we spoke with Rilcoe she said she was just heading off to carpet bowling and had a team organized for the upcoming Investors Walk For Memories.
She commented that her family moved to the area when she was 16. She graduated high school in Barriere, married Len Rilcoe and has been here ever since. The couple have raised three children, all who have graduated from Barriere Secondary, and she now enjoys nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Of note, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year at a celebration held in the curling rink, and she says her 70th birthday is now coming up in February.
Rilcoe was quick to tell us that they have no plans to live anywhere other than Barriere. “This is where we live, and we’re here to stay!”
The annual Barriere Citizen of the Year Award is sponsored by the North Thompson Star/Journal.
Date of the upcoming 2014 Citizen of the Year Banquet honouring Audrey Rilcoe will be published in an upcoming issue of this newspaper.