FAFARD, Clara Katherine

—

Nanny <3

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Clara Katherine Fafard on Monday, May 11, 2020, at the age of 96. She is survived by two daughters Carol (Rick) and Wanda (Ken); two sons Pat (Lynn) and Ken (Lynne); two daughters-in-law Linda and Caron; one sister-in-law Gisele Tulloch; nineteen grandchildren; and twenty-five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Leo; sons Wayne and Denis; grandson Grant; five siblings; and five siblings-in-law.

Clara touched the lives of many in her roles as daughter, sister, friend, neighbour, Catholic, wife, mother, aunt, volunteer, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Each role was interwoven with Clara’s ability to make others feel welcome, wanted, and loved. She was a social butterfly, to say the least, who would rather miss sleep than a lively family gathering.

She was the matriarch of a big and bold family; she was our Nanny. Her children and their children would gather at her house and spend days basking in each other’s company and conversation with a well-stocked bar, cribbage board, and deck of cards within arm’s reach. She was the type of lady that would carry a keychain featuring adult humour and then giggle about it in a mischievous yet sweet-and-innocent kind of way. In addition to being the center of social circles and having a daring sense of humour, she was also a ready ear. She was always willing to listen when life got hard. She had a knack for gently helping others to find solutions to their own problems; when a solution was out of the question, she was there to help share a burden. Her kindness extended far beyond the realm of her family, as was made evident in over 35 years of volunteer service with the Rutland Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop.  It is hard to say if she really knew how many people aspire to be like her, but probably not because she was too humble to ever believe it.

Clara was the rarest type of person; only a spark in the grand scheme of the universe, but one who’s impact will live on for generations. She didn’t win a Nobel Prize, or even write a book; she did, however, teach us that relationships are by far the most valuable thing a person may ever possess. She demonstrated what it means to love unconditionally. She quietly instilled within us an acceptance of others. She taught us the power of tenderness and love. Her calm words of wisdom serve us well.

Thank you to the compassionate staff at Lakeview Lodge for almost seven years of care.

A celebration of life will take place for Clara at a later date when gatherings are a safe and feasible possibility. Her ashes will soon be laid to rest beside her husband Leo at Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery.

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