Audrey Thistle

Audrey Mary Thistle (nee Bilton) was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, to Leslie and Cissie Bilton on November 24, 1937. She passed away peacefully in Windsor, Colorado, on April 19, 2025, at the age of 87, after a life well-lived across many countries.

At 18, Audrey joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in England this is what brought Audrey to Canada and proudly served for three years at various RCAF stations across Canada where Audrey met her husband. In October 1959, she married her beloved husband, Frank, and went on to support his military career for 33 years as a devoted Air Force wife. Their life together took them to multiple postings across Canada and Germany before eventually settling long-term in Calgary, Alberta. In her later years after Frank passed, Audrey moved to Windsor, Colorado, to be closer to family.

Audrey built a career in administrative and management roles with both the Canadian Government and in private industry. She was a woman of many passions, including square dancing, RVing, traveling, and wintering in Arizona with Frank. She also loved coloring with friends, quilting, tole painting, scrapbooking, and writing. Audrey was a proud member of the Sakkara Temple, Daughters of the Nile.

She was well known for her strong devotion to family. Audrey lived a life centered around supporting and nurturing loved ones, no matter how far apart they were. Audrey kept her strong British traits that she imparted to her family. She cared deeply for family near and far and was a constant source of encouragement—reminding the generations that followed her to keep their loved ones close and prioritize the bonds that matter most.

Audrey was a warm, cheerful, intelligent, and thoughtful person, quick to bring people together for a Happy Hour or shared meal. Her smile, her wit, and her presence brought joy to many, and she will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her son Bruce (Helen), daughter Karen, and grandchildren Grace (Chaste), Sandy (Sally), Jonathon (Fay), and Jack (Miranda). She also leaves behind her sister Pat (Rex), and many nieces and nephews. Audrey was predeceased by her husband Frank, her parents Leslie and Cissie, her brother David, and her son-in-law Fred.

The family would like to thank the teams at the Medical Center of Northern Colorado and Pathways Hospice for the compassionate care they provided Audrey in her final days.

A private Celebration of Life will be held on April 27, 2025 in Windsor, Colorado, USA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Audrey’s memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children: https://lovetotherescue.org/how-you-can-help/programs/give-in-memory