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Audrey Fleet Clarke

Audrey Fleet Clarke[1, 2]

Female 1915 - 2001  (86 years)  

Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Audrey Fleet Clarke  [3, 4
    Birth 23 Mar 1915  London, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4
    Gender Female 
    Born 23 Mar 1915  [3
    Born 23 Mar 1915  [3
    Registration Between 1 Apr 1915 and 30 Jun 1915  Lambeth, Surrey, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Birth 
    • Volume 1d, Page 816
    Died 8 Nov 2001  Johannesburg, South Africa Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Died 8 Nov 2001  Johannesburg, South Africa Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Death 8 Nov 2001  Golden Harvest Ii, Johannesburg, South Africa Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4
    Headstones Submit Headstone Photo Submit Headstone Photo 
    Person ID I14147  The Williams Family Tree
    Last Modified 24 Feb 2016 

    Father John Henry Clarke
              b. 1890, Kensington, London, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location
              d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Etheldreda Fleet
              b. 26 Jan 1885, Chesterton Find all individuals with events at this location
              d. Yes, date unknown 
    Marriage Y  [6
    Family ID F3578  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Stanley David Harris
              b. 21 Sep 1916, Thornton Heath, Surrey, England Find all individuals with events at this location
              d. Abt 1998, South Africa Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 81 years) 
    Marriage 1940  Croydon, Surrey, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4
    • Q1 1940 Croydon vol 2a p 2012 [4]
    Children 
     1. Living
     2. Living
    Family ID F3608  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 14 Jan 2010 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 23 Mar 1915 - London, Middlesex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsRegistration - Birth - Between 1 Apr 1915 and 30 Jun 1915 - Lambeth, Surrey, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 1940 - Croydon, Surrey, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 8 Nov 2001 - Johannesburg, South Africa Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 8 Nov 2001 - Johannesburg, South Africa Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 8 Nov 2001 - Golden Harvest Ii, Johannesburg, South Africa Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • Ali High notes:

      To all the dear friends of Audrey,
      To those of you how already please excuse any repetition, but it is with immense sadness that I have to write and let you know that Mom passed away on Thursday night 8 November. It has been a tremendous shock to all the family as it happened so suddenly. Today Shirley and I are in her delightful cottage having to start the heartbreaking job of sorting things out. I have gone on to her computer and just picked up all the names in her address book...her e mail to you all was such a source of joy in her life. What happened was that last weekend Mom got an excruitiating pain in her shoulder, she did not tell a soul and had nothing to eat or drink for the weekend. It was so bad that on the Sunday she drove down to the local clinic and got some painkillers and anti inflammatories.. Of course the biggest mistake was to take them on an empty stomach as they ate through the stomach lining and started internal bleeding. She started vomiting up blood and became dehydrated. Only on Monday when she was so weak did she phone Shirley, by then it was too late as her kidneys had started to malfunction and she passed away from kidney failure. I flew up immediately on Thursday morning and Avon on a flight an hour later. She was quite lucid between slipping in and out of a comatose state and knew that we were with her and talking to her all the time. The wonderful thing was that each of the grandchildren, from Cape Town, U K , Holland and Australia managed to speak to her fro a couple of moments on my Cel phone, send their love and say their goodbye's in their own loving way. Her brother Philip, had phoned the hospital and she did ask about him. We arranged for him to also phone on the Cel and she managed to tell him she was getting better and that she loved him very dearly. As we took the phone from her ear she looked at Shirley and I very deeply and said" I have had enough, goodbye" After that not another word and she just slipped away peacefully about an hour later at 11.40. We had told her she was going to join Dad and her family and the amazing thing was that we were both so calm, until after she had gone, and the realisation hit home. We are having the funeral on Monday afternoon 12 November. Mom, so typically, left Shirley and I letter of outpouring love, plus all the instruction of what she did and did not want. She chose her hymns, prayers, coffin choice and a no flowers, no frill instructions for the funeral. All the details of her personal affairs are clearly listed with names, places and telephone No's. I don't need to tell any one of you about our incredible mother, she was more than one in a million, a totally unique person. This is evidenced by the phone calls, two Cel phones and the house phone all going simultaneously. She was so dearly loved by so many. It is only a matter of weeks since she returned from her fantastic holiday with Dave and family in Australia, one of her dearest dreams fulfilled. The sadness is that she was unable to make the reunion with her brother Philip planned in London for Christmas, together with Shirley Ted and Trica who lives there as well. If there is anything any of you would like to know our e mail addresses are sheiladurbs@yebo.co.za and Shirley's is etebbutt@worldonline.co.za With a very heavy heart we both thank you all for your wonderful love and friendship to Mom. The day I persuaded her to buy a computer gave her a whole new lease and challenge in life. Writing was her greatest joy and we only regret that she never wrote her Memoirs which she always promised she would do one day..when she found some time. Not only was she the nucleus of our family but loved throughout the world. With love from Sheila, Shirley and all our families,
      AUDREY FLEET HARRIS
      12 NOVEMBER 2001-11-10
      Shirley and I stand here today to celebrate the life of our beloved mother Audrey Harris. We have been truly blessed, and highly privileged, to have had the most incredible and loving mother in the world.
      Mom was born in London 86 years ago, the eldest of six children and sadly today is only survived by her one brother, Philip. As the eldest, and a born leader, she told many a story of her imaginative ways of controlling and persuading her siblings to do exactly what she wanted. As a young girl she fell madly in love with her brother John's best friend, a handsome young man called Stan. After a six year courtship she and Dad married in 1940. The war years that followed were difficult times, Dad away fighting in Burma and she left with us two little girls to care for on her own in bomb shattered London. At the end of the war Dad was posted to Rhodesia and he wrote and asked her to join him in " God's Paradise." Without any hesitation she jumped onto a cargo boat with both of us and we sailed to Cape Town, one of the very few people in this world to manage such a feat without as much as a passport.
      We grew up in such a loving home. Even though Mom became a highly successful career woman she was always there for us as a loving and deeply caring mother. At the height of her career she became the personal secretary to the General Manager of Anglo American in what was then Northern Rhodesia.
      Mom and Dad were married for 56 years and it was a very sad time for us all when he suddenly passed away six years ago. During their marriage Mom always retained such a sense of adventure and willingly followed him on his moves from Rhodesia to Zambia and subsequently to South Africa. She was such a supportive and devoted wife and as a couple they were an example to the whole family. As parents they loved us totally and unconditionally.
      After the loss of Dad Mom told us that a new chapter in her life had began as she found peace, contentment and happiness in her new home at Golden Harvest, the most beautiful of retirement homes.
      I said earlier that Mom was such an incredible person ,and all of you present today I know will endorse that statement Always such a positive and adventurous person she was prepared to tackle anything in life, always with such passion and emphatically believing that you are as young as you feel. In her late seventies she had her first motor bike ride in Greece and at the age of 84 rode a horse for the first time in her life, joined Shirley and the hiking club on day hikes and once even completed 25 km over one weekend. As most of you know she was still driving her car six days before she passed away. Only three years ago she purchased a computer at the age of 83, which opened such an exciting and challenging new chapter in her life. Her e mails brought her immense satisfaction and daily she conquered the mysterious world of computers. She had the energy of a 30 year old and an attitude that she could master any challenge in life.
      Mom was not only a totally unique mother but also an adored Grandmother to her five Grandchildren and six great Grandchildren. Her family were her pride and joy and each one sitting here knows of how she boasted about every member of her beloved family. It is wonderful that two of her granddaughters , Carol and Sally, and great granddaughter Sian are here with us today. Mom was the nerve centre of the family sending out communications at every opportunity. Literacy was one of her phenomenal strengths and she had enormous pleasure in frequently writing her descriptive letters and e mails to numerous people around the world. We are only sad that the one thing she had always promised never was to be, and that was to write a book of her memoirs. She always told us
      " When I have the time I will do it"
      As most of you know it is only a matter of weeks since she returned from her fantastic holiday in Australia, fulfilling a dream of the past eighteen months. The sadness is that she was unable to fulfil her dearest wish of the reunion with her beloved brother Philip, planned for this Christmas, in London.
      Mom was not only the matriarch and nucleus of the entire family but loved by so many throughout the world. To say we are all going to miss her immensely is such an understatement. She was a true lady in every sense of the word. One who never said anything against anybody. She adored people and having long conversations, and had the most sympathetic ear for anyone to share their problems. Her faith was deep and her love for the Church goes back to her childhood days. Mom was such an example to us all and has set a standard that we will all aspire to attain.
      We would like you to know that for the service today Mom herself requested the 23rd Psalm and that the following words be shared with all of us. " Lord support us all the day long until the shadows lengthen. The evening comes, the busy world is hushed, and our work is done. The Lord in thy mercy grant us safe lodging, acquiring rest and peace at last"
      The hymn Praise my Soul was sung at their wedding and at Dad's funeral. The final hymn we selected we feel depicts Mom and her approach to life.
      Far away today but with us at this very moment, is an outpouring of love from her beloved brother Philip in England, Grandson Dave and family in Australia, her Granddaughters Jenni and family in Holland, and Tricia in England.
      Thank you to each and every one of you for joining us today to celebrate the life of our beloved Mom, who also touched your lives in such special and memorable ways.


      Mike Harris notes:

      To all the dear friends of Audrey,
      To those of you how already please excuse any repetition, but it is with immense sadness that I have to write and let you know that Mom passed away on Thursday night 8 November. It has been a tremendous shock to all the family as it happened so suddenly. Today Shirley and I are in her delightful cottage having to start the heartbreaking job of sorting things out. I have gone on to her computer and just picked up all the names in her address book...her e mail to you all was such a source of joy in her life. What happened was that last weekend Mom got an excruitiating pain in her shoulder, she did not tell a soul and had nothing to eat or drink for the weekend. It was so bad that on the Sunday she drove down to the local clinic and got some painkillers and anti inflammatories.. Of course the biggest mistake was to take them on an empty stomach as they ate through the stomach lining and started internal bleeding. She started vomiting up blood and became dehydrated. Only on Monday when she was so weak did she phone Shirley, by then it was too late as her kidneys had started to malfunction and she passed away from kidney failure. I flew up immediately on Thursday morning and Avon on a flight an hour later. She was quite lucid between slipping in and out of a comatose state and knew that we were with her and talking to her all the time. The wonderful thing was that each of the grandchildren, from Cape Town, U K , Holland and Australia managed to speak to her fro a couple of moments on my Cel phone, send their love and say their goodbye's in their own loving way. Her brother Philip, had phoned the hospital and she did ask about him. We arranged for him to also phone on the Cel and she managed to tell him she was getting better and that she loved him very dearly. As we took the phone from her ear she looked at Shirley and I very deeply and said" I have had enough, goodbye" After that not another word and she just slipped away peacefully about an hour later at 11.40. We had told her she was going to join Dad and her family and the amazing thing was that we were both so calm, until after she had gone, and the realisation hit home. We are having the funeral on Monday afternoon 12 November. Mom, so typically, left Shirley and I letter of outpouring love, plus all the instruction of what she did and did not want. She chose her hymns, prayers, coffin choice and a no flowers, no frill instructions for the funeral. All the details of her personal affairs are clearly listed with names, places and telephone No's. I don't need to tell any one of you about our incredible mother, she was more than one in a million, a totally unique person. This is evidenced by the phone calls, two Cel phones and the house phone all going simultaneously. She was so dearly loved by so many. It is only a matter of weeks since she returned from her fantastic holiday with Dave and family in Australia, one of her dearest dreams fulfilled. The sadness is that she was unable to make the reunion with her brother Philip planned in London for Christmas, together with Shirley Ted and Trica who lives there as well. If there is anything any of you would like to know our e mail addresses are sheiladurbs@yebo.co.za and Shirley's is etebbutt@worldonline.co.za With a very heavy heart we both thank you all for your wonderful love and friendship to Mom. The day I persuaded her to buy a computer gave her a whole new lease and challenge in life. Writing was her greatest joy and we only regret that she never wrote her Memoirs which she always promised she would do one day..when she found some time. Not only was she the nucleus of our family but loved throughout the world. With love from Sheila, Shirley and all our families,
      AUDREY FLEET HARRIS
      12 NOVEMBER 2001-11-10
      Shirley and I stand here today to celebrate the life of our beloved mother Audrey Harris. We have been truly blessed, and highly privileged, to have had the most incredible and loving mother in the world.
      Mom was born in London 86 years ago, the eldest of six children and sadly today is only survived by her one brother, Philip. As the eldest, and a born leader, she told many a story of her imaginative ways of controlling and persuading her siblings to do exactly what she wanted. As a young girl she fell madly in love with her brother John's best friend, a handsome young man called Stan. After a six year courtship she and Dad married in 1940. The war years that followed were difficult times, Dad away fighting in Burma and she left with us two little girls to care for on her own in bomb shattered London. At the end of the war Dad was posted to Rhodesia and he wrote and asked her to join him in " God's Paradise." Without any hesitation she jumped onto a cargo boat with both of us and we sailed to Cape Town, one of the very few people in this world to manage such a feat without as much as a passport.
      We grew up in such a loving home. Even though Mom became a highly successful career woman she was always there for us as a loving and deeply caring mother. At the height of her career she became the personal secretary to the General Manager of Anglo American in what was then Northern Rhodesia.
      Mom and Dad were married for 56 years and it was a very sad time for us all when he suddenly passed away six years ago. During their marriage Mom always retained such a sense of adventure and willingly followed him on his moves from Rhodesia to Zambia and subsequently to South Africa. She was such a supportive and devoted wife and as a couple they were an example to the whole family. As parents they loved us totally and unconditionally.
      After the loss of Dad Mom told us that a new chapter in her life had began as she found peace, contentment and happiness in her new home at Golden Harvest, the most beautiful of retirement homes.
      I said earlier that Mom was such an incredible person ,and all of you present today I know will endorse that statement Always such a positive and adventurous person she was prepared to tackle anything in life, always with such passion and emphatically believing that you are as young as you feel. In her late seventies she had her first motor bike ride in Greece and at the age of 84 rode a horse for the first time in her life, joined Shirley and the hiking club on day hikes and once even completed 25 km over one weekend. As most of you know she was still driving her car six days before she passed away. Only three years ago she purchased a computer at the age of 83, which opened such an exciting and challenging new chapter in her life. Her e mails brought her immense satisfaction and daily she conquered the mysterious world of computers. She had the energy of a 30 year old and an attitude that she could master any challenge in life.
      Mom was not only a totally unique mother but also an adored Grandmother to her five Grandchildren and six great Grandchildren. Her family were her pride and joy and each one sitting here knows of how she boasted about every member of her beloved family. It is wonderful that two of her granddaughters , Carol and Sally, and great granddaughter Sian are here with us today. Mom was the nerve centre of the family sending out communications at every opportunity. Literacy was one of her phenomenal strengths and she had enormous pleasure in frequently writing her descriptive letters and e mails to numerous people around the world. We are only sad that the one thing she had always promised never was to be, and that was to write a book of her memoirs. She always told us
      " When I have the time I will do it"
      As most of you know it is only a matter of weeks since she returned from her fantastic holiday in Australia, fulfilling a dream of the past eighteen months. The sadness is that she was unable to fulfil her dearest wish of the reunion with her beloved brother Philip, planned for this Christmas, in London.
      Mom was not only the matriarch and nucleus of the entire family but loved by so many throughout the world. To say we are all going to miss her immensely is such an understatement. She was a true lady in every sense of the word. One who never said anything against anybody. She adored people and having long conversations, and had the most sympathetic ear for anyone to share their problems. Her faith was deep and her love for the Church goes back to her childhood days. Mom was such an example to us all and has set a standard that we will all aspire to attain.
      We would like you to know that for the service today Mom herself requested the 23rd Psalm and that the following words be shared with all of us. " Lord support us all the day long until the shadows lengthen. The evening comes, the busy world is hushed, and our work is done. The Lord in thy mercy grant us safe lodging, acquiring rest and peace at last"
      The hymn Praise my Soul was sung at their wedding and at Dad's funeral. The final hymn we selected we feel depicts Mom and her approach to life.
      Far away today but with us at this very moment, is an outpouring of love from her beloved brother Philip in England, Grandson Dave and family in Australia, her Granddaughters Jenni and family in Holland, and Tricia in England.
      Thank you to each and every one of you for joining us today to celebrate the life of our beloved Mom, who also touched your lives in such special and memorable ways. [4]

  • Sources 
    1. [S4593] Mike Harris Family Tree (Reliability: 3).

    2. [S9816] Alive for the 1939 Register, (accessed 24 Feb 2016). (Reliability: 3).
      People who should be alive for the 1939 Register

    3. [S2263] Ali High (Reliability: 3).
      Date of Import: 21 Dec 2007

    4. [S4517] Mike Harris.

    5. [S1856] Registration of Births, (Ancestry.co.uk), Jun 1915, Lambeth, London, Volume 1d, Page 816 (Reliability: 3).
      Audrey F. CLARKE, Mother's maiden surname FLEET

    6. [S2263] Ali High (Reliability: 3).