Obituary of Clara Marie McEwen

Clara Marie McEwen (nee Castonguay), formerly of Gibbons, AB, passed away peacefully at the Bow Crest Care Centre, Calgary on Thursday, April 15, 2004 at the age of 91 years. Clara was born on September 14, 1912 in the Grosmont-Baptiste Lake area west of Athabasca, living there until 1936 when she married Jack and moved to the Gibbons area. They retired from farming and returned to Baptiste Lake in 1975. Clara was well-known for her old-time fiddling and played for countless community functions and wedding dances. She was active in community and church affairs and was President of Sacred Heart C.W.L. in the early 50’s. Her loaves of bread, cinnamon buns, baking, and cooking of all kinds were legendary. She continued making bread until about eighty-four years of age. She also loved gardening and had huge raspberry, vegetable and flower beds until she left Baptiste Lake in 1987 and moved to Calgary. She also spent many winters enjoying the California sunshine in Cathedral City, CA. She moved to Rockyview Lodge, Crossfield, AB in 1998 and to Bow Crest Care Centre, Calgary, in 2000. She dearly loved and was very proud of her children and grandchildren and was thrilled when Nicolas, her first great-grandchild was born in 1999. They will miss her but know she is at peace. Clara will be lovingly missed by a son and daughter-in-law, Blaine and Virginia of Surrey, BC; a daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Alistair Scott of Calgary; grandchildren, Kelly (Brad) Zacharuk, Patrick (Laurie) McEwen, Laurie Claire Scott (Charlie Orchieson) of Milton ON, and Sandy Scott of San Francisco, CA; great-grandson Nicolas Zacharuk; brother-in-law Bob McEwen; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Jack in 1981, four brothers and a sister. A Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 23, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (4723 – 50 Avenue, Gibbons, AB) with reception to follow at the Gibbons Community Hall. To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Bow Crest for the care given Clara for the past four years. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary, #201, 222 – 58 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3 Telephone: (403) 290-0110 or directly to Catholic Social Services, 8815 – 99 Street, Edmonton, AB T6E 3V3 Telephone: (780) 432-1137. In living memory of Clara McEwen, a tree will be planted at Nose Creek Valley by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 Crowfoot Circle N.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 241-0044.