AUDREY I. RANSOM

Audrey I. Ransom, 80, a longtime resident of Ransom Lane, Racquette Point, passed away Sunday evening, November 8, 2020 at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital after a brief illness.

Audrey was born on October 27, 1940 in Cornwall, the daughter of late William G. and Minnie (Skidders) Oakes. She first attended schools in Kanatakon before graduating from high school in Cornwall. Audrey continued her education in Ottawa, achieving her nursing degree from Ottawa Civic Hospital Nursing Program. In May 1962, she married Gordon G. Ransom at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Jacobs. Although their marriage ended in divorce, they remained dear friends.

Audrey was a registered nurse for various hospital and health facilities including Massena Memorial Hospital, Hotel Dieu, Alice Hyde Medical Center, and Fulton General. She finished her nursing career with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Health Services. She continued working for the next 20 years as a bartender at Eagles Bar until her retirement. Audrey was a communicant of St. Regis Catholic Church and member of the American Legion Post #1479 Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the board for the Akwesasne Library, and greatly enjoyed participating with the Christmas Enchantment at Snye Recreation. Audrey will fondly be remembered for her great "green thumb" – her gardens were plentiful, and she could make a rock grow a plant. She enjoyed reading, playing bingo, visits to the casino, and caring for stray animals. Of all her enjoyments and accomplishments, her family was her greatest – she cherished the memories made and time shared with them, especially her grandchildren. This love continued throughout the Racquette community as she was a "pseudo" mom to many of her children's friends.

Audrey is survived by her children and their spouses, Kimberley Ransom-Herne and her husband, Norman; Gerald G. Ransom and his wife, Michelle; Terry Lee Ransom-Hill and her husband, David; all of Akwesasne; her chosen daughter and godchild, Patricia Sawatis Merpaw and her husband, Ken of Cornwall; her beloved grandchildren, Deneen Cole, Diane and Genna Ransom, Trulee Herne, Thomas Gordon Hill, and Courtney Sawatis; and her chosen grandchildren, Dakota Smoke and Frank Hill.

She is also survived by her former husband, Gordon; additional godchildren, Marion Skidders-Thompson and Marlana Thompson Baker; her brother, Bobbie and Theresa Skidders; her sisters-in-law, Theresa Skidders and Edith Oakes; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Bobby Skidders, Ralph and Lucy Oakes and George William Oakes; and her grandson, Conway Herne.

At her request and due to COVID restrictions, services will be held privately under the care and direction of the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena.

Meorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Hogansburg/Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department or the Snye Recreation Committee.

Friends are encouraged to share memories and offer condolences online to her family at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.