CALNAN, CLARE September 6, 1941 – February 28, 2021 Clare Calnan (nee Dutton) passed away on Sunday with her son Mike by her side. A cancer survivor who also lived for a decade with Parkinson’s disease, she retained a deep strength and in the end left us suddenly. Predeceased by her husband of 47 years, John in 2018. She is survived by her five children Michael (Liako), Thomas, Mary-Claire, Colleen (Junior), and Denis, and her three most beloved grandchildren – Maya, Noah, and Willa.
Predeceased by siblings Gerry, Joan, and Jim. She will be dearly missed by Mary, Audry, Bernie, Cathy, Paul, and Fran (Will) as well as her many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Clare was active in her church (St. John the Evangelist) for many years and was also devoted to bringing warmth to others through her many close friendships, her work at Pelletier Homes for Youth, and her handcrafted gifts. A knitter of the most perfectionist variety, bystanders were often forced to witness her pull out swaths of beautiful work after finding a virtually undetectable mistake. Gifted to children and grandchildren of friends, acquaintances, doctors and dentists, as well as to her own family, these items could make strangers stop to coo before they noticed the child wearing them.
She fit knitting into the brief pauses carved into a busy life corralling her large brood, making piles of PB&J sandwiches, volunteering in community, and loving her grandchildren. Her children’s most fierce advocate, she allowed them to challenge and change her over time as she adopted their causes and championed their passions. Clare was the strong one you called to help lift the dock and the tender one you wanted to hold you in heartache. We will miss her enormously.
We are grateful to Dr. Kleiner, who expertly cared for Clare through her journey with Parkinson’s and to her son Thomas, who cared for her daily at home for the last few years. In lieu of flowers, donations to Parkinson Canada would be appreciated. A visitation will be held (RSVP) at Ward Funeral Home in Weston March 4th, 4-8 p.m. A service will be live- streamed March 6th at 11 a.m.