Marie Claire Dallaire

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Claire Dallaire announces her passing on October 20, 2021.

Claire will be deeply missed by her husband of 64 years, Yves Dallaire, her children, Rachel (Nick), Francis (Melde), Chantal, and Liza (Manley), cherished grandchildren, Nadia (Dave), Sara (Tyler), Mark (Danielle), Gordon, Tanya (Dustin), and Brandi (Tyson), great- grandchildren, Harlen, Elijah, Sonny, Asher, Eve, and Thomas, brother Marcel, and numerous special in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is predeceased by her parents, Napoleon and Marie-Ange, her brothers, Lionel, Paul-Emile, Lucien, Gerard, Honorius, Jules, Martin, and Joseph, her sisters, Gertrude, Regina, Denise, Madeleine, Marie-Anne, and Noella, and Claire’s infant son, Marius.

Born in the South of Quebec, her family relocated to Abitibi, Quebec, where she met her future husband at the age of 12. They married in 1957 and eventually settled in Fort William, Ontario. With the help of family, they built their family home on Arthur Street where they raised their children.

Claire proudly kept a warm and welcoming home where guests were met with smiles, warm hugs, and offers of food. She valued working outside the home as it gave her the opportunity to meet new people and improve her English. At the age of 48, she returned to school and earned a Registered Nurse’s Assistant Certificate and took a job at Hogarth-Westmount in long-term care, where her warm and compassionate nature was put to good use. Retirement afforded Claire and Yves the well-earned opportunity to create fond memories travelling with family and friends, especially to warmer destinations. Arizona became their home away from home and they spent over a decade of winters there.

She generously gave of her time volunteering to Telecare, Meals on Wheels, Shelter House, and her Church. Claire was a staunch Roman Catholic and her faith sustained her through many tragedies, and was the foundation of the grace, poise, and strength of character that she was known for and which she maintained to her dying day.

Claire also enjoyed family gatherings and she continued to host family dinners right into her eighties. She enjoyed flower gardening, reading (in two languages), knitting (her socks and slippers being a coveted Christmas gift) including knitting quilts for The Cancer Society, and playing cards (which she played regularly at 60 Plus, West Thunder Community Centre, and Oliver-Paipoonge Museum).

A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 1 p.m. at St. Agnes RC Church at 1919 Brown Street in Thunder Bay with interment of ashes to follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery at 1351 Broadway Avenue. Due to Covid restrictions, there will be no reception.

Live Streaming is available. Please go to www.facebook.com/stagnesrc. Click on the “Live” icon available when it is time. It is not necessary to have a Facebook account.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Northern Cancer Fund.