Audrey Boxall (15 Feb 1931 - 2 Mar 2021)

In loving memory of Audrey Boxall who sadly passed away on 2nd March 2021
A ray of sunshine, strong, always smiling, laughing and positive! Simply the best!
Forever in our thoughts, deeply loved and greatly missed by Ian, Yvonne, Adam, Joseph and all her family and friends.

Born on 15th February 1931 in Shore Avenue, Milton Portsmouth.
Audrey was the middle daughter of 8 brothers and sisters Gwen, Doris, Margaret, Eileen, Eddie, Raymond and David
Audrey means noble strength and although not a fan of her middle name Nellie, its meaning Sun Ray, both define Audrey – A ray of sunshine, strong, always smiling, laughing and positive! Simply the best!
Family moved to Washbrook road in Wymering where Audrey grew up during the war years, her father insisting the family stayed together rather than evacuation of the children. She recalled stories of sleeping in the tunnels in bunk beds in Portsdown hill, being picked up by the soldiers in lorries and taken to Petersfield during the day and the corn fields behind their home being on fire during the blitz of Portsmouth in 1941.
She used to walk home from school with her friend Betty her future sister in law
Audrey worked as a green grocer for Sir Alec Rose in Southsea before joining Smith crisps where she developed a reputation as a task master – not to be messed with, even taking her sister Margaret to task for returning late from lunch when she had actually been getting Audrey’s and Ron’s dinner for that evening!
She enjoyed watching football from an early age, going to watch Pompey play with her father, proudly recalling how she was part of the 51,000 crowds of the 1950’s. She continued to watch and listen to Pompey games on Radio Solent every Saturday, whenever they lost commenting – “Typical Pompey they don’t have a clue”
On a works outing to Rowlands Castle she met Ron in the Robin Hood pub, after a 7 year engagement they married in 1956 moving into Ron’s family house. Vera recalls enjoyable evenings spent with Audrey and Ron watching Raw Hide.
In recent years Audrey enjoyed recalling with her grandsons nights her and Ron spent in the Lord John Russel pub with their friends Pat, George, Peter, Tom and Margaret.
Audrey and Ron then moved to Portchester and celebrated the arrival of Ian enjoying many hours wandering around the grounds of the castle.
They became a husband and wife team at work spending many enjoyable years running off licences in Hilsea, Baffins, North end and Gosport.
In 1987 Audrey welcomed Yvonne as a daughter in law
Sadly in 1990 she lost Ron to cancer. Family and friends wrapped their arms around Audrey and together, in typical Audrey fashion she continued to embrace life with numerous holidays on the QE2, California, Hong Kong, Malta, Scotland, Turkey and Gloucester with Margaret and Dave, Lilly and David, Hilda and Dave and Raymond.
She continued to be active taking part in swimming and line dancing. In her early 80’s she started OAP curling.
She continued to work until retirement as a shop assistant in Superdrug.
1998 and 2000 arrived her 2 grandsons Adam and Joseph, she was immensely proud of them and they shared fantastic memorable times together. Audrey for some reason had the biggest collection of duvets turning the spare bedroom into “cloud land” a big Duvet Den! Nanny lunches – a large plate full of everything you can think of and dancing to Status Quo at Christmas, even in her late 80’s.
She loved family get togethers from big New Years parties, birthday parties and Christmas. Enjoying a good old dance.
“Can I bring a trifle” with Birds topping was always the first question!

Memorable Audrey Things – a Snowball at Christmas, Prawn Cocktail for starters, a nanny meat pie – the best.
She would often be heard saying – “I cant go out looking like this”, “I didn’t know what was happening” or “have you seen my handbag”
Audrey never went anywhere without her handbag or lipstick on – she was very conscious of how she looked, always very smartly dressed.
And then there were those traditions – you had to go and stir the Christmas pudding it could not move to the next step until this was done.
Betting on the Grand national – every year, although the rule was let Audrey select her horse and then you select another as she very rarely won anything.
Recycling – Nothing went to waste, beds, carpets, furniture all recycled to another family member or friend.
Audrey was Independent, rarely asked for help. Even well into her 80’s you would find the furniture moved around from one room to another – how ? sparked a response “It was not heavy” or “I gently pushed it” – “I can’t sit around doing nothing” As her strength weakened she just got a power screw driver!
Audrey loved watching sport, football and athletics – definitely not tennis, after 60 years of watching football she never understood the off side rule!
Home was never quiet, always filled with the Radio or Music – BBC radio solent, Abba, Tom Jones and James Last her favourites. She never missed the last night of the proms.

Her positive, smiling happy nature and positive outlook is captured by the poem “An optimist” by Nekia-Brooke Thomson.
They found a little courage
That simmered in the sun
They blended it with patience
And just a little spice of fun
They poured in hope and laughter
Then with a sudden twist
They stirred it all together
And made an optimist