AUDRE BURT

Audre' Burt was a delightful, energetic, fully present and extremely upbeat woman in her 80's who loved living in her own home and taking care of her three cats, a peacock, and most of the neighborhood cats as well. In 2001, Audre' was feeding some local pigeons and fell down a flight of stairs.

She hit her back and the subsequent fractures eventually developed into spinal stenosis.

In addition, she was a diabetic, and had severe osteoporosis, particularly in her shoulders. Doctors told Audre' she would have to sell her home and go into an assisted living facility, and should expect to be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She felt that could not be an option, as she would not be able to continue to take care of her animals.

Audre' was determined to walk again.

Supportive family and friends collaborated to buy her a great bed, a woman named Bielda started coming in daily to assist Audre' with basic needs (to whom she is forever grateful), and she started attending physical therapy.

Due to her plucky determination and the help of a therapist named Tom, in a relatively short period of time she was able to take a few steps, which eventually led to more. Soon she was walking, although still with some difficulty.

Audre' needed to continue her physical and occupational therapy in order to stay mobile, and her money for that work had run out. Audre' also lost her only granddaughter to cancer, and her only grandson to a car accident. During Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the cottage where her son was living behind her home was completely destroyed, with FEMA only giving her $327.49 for that loss.

She found her strength to go on in her love for her children, animals, birds, and attending Temple.

For four years DREAM ONE WORLD helped to fund Audre's dream of continuing to live in her own home and caring for her animal friends the rest of her life.

On March 8, 2009, Audre' Burt passed away.

In late January, 2009, she sent us her last note thanking us for a check we had recently sent, along with receipts for medications she had purchased with the funds, and the following photo of Audre' gazing out at her beloved peacock friend, "Big Bird."

Addendum sent in March 2009 to us from Audre's daughter, Gale - part of a tribute she wrote for her mother's memorial service. It speaks to the Life Challenge Recipients we choose, and the amazing spirit of Audre':

"Mom would only see the best in everyone; always finding the kernel of goodnes in every soul, every person, even if they didn't see it in themselves... and she found a way to reflect that goodness back to them to enrich their own lives.

Anyone who knew my Mom knew about the animals, especially cats, that she loved. She always talked to animals and gave each one a name - even the pigeons who came to gobble up her meals for them.

Then there was "Big Bird" - her magnificent wild peacock friend with his full plumage and regal bearing. Mom could not get through a day without Big Bird coming up the ramp and shouting to her to come out and feed him.

If she couldn't get outside or he didn't show up on time, she agonized. If he didn't come, she didn't want to sleep until she knew he was okay.

When the food got put out, she would holler to him in English, Yiddish, Spanish, and Creole to eat in good health. She claimed he was quadri-lingual!

Big Bird would balance as if on his tip-toes on the banister of the ramp like some giant yet beautiful pterodactyl, to eat his seeds and raisins, cheese, and blueberries.

He would just about lay his head in her lap when she sat outside. You never talked to Mom where she didn't rave on and on about Big Bird.

My Mother bravely suffered many difficulties and many losses - her dearest and only brother and sister-in-law, her husband, both her grandchildren, (my children), her daughter-in-law... too many tragedies.

Yet not only did she persevere, she continued to smile and thrive, and empower others to smile and thrive as well, and appreciate life along with her.

Her glorious and keen sense of humor carried her throughout many trials and tribulations, and was a joy to everyone who talked with her.

Actually, it always seemed she sparkled with joy and gratitude in her outlook on life and attitudes about everything.

My cousin Robin said my Mother taught her that the most beautiful view in the world is your own front yard, that love and kindness breech language barriers; that a good life is spent in the company of a child and a dear pet, eating food you like, and loving someone.

Such was my Mother. She was the truest example of an honorable, delightful, beautiful light-up-the-room person with the utmost integrity - truly a Woman of Valor.

She will be both very, very deeply missed, and greatly celebrated by all of us who loved her and received her love back a thousand-fold."

~ Daughter Gale Larkey