LIFE CELEBRATIONS & OBITUARIES

CLARANCE, Wayne June 26, 1948 – January 25, 2023

Our dad Wayne Clarance passed away peacefully in his home on January 25, 2023. He is survived by his wife Linda, four sons, Todd, Brian, Christopher (Christina), and Bradley (Melanie); his grandchildren Kimberlin, Malcom, Megan, Ava, Deacon, Phineas, Theodore, and Leo; by his siblings Lynn (Bill), Harry (Debbie), Carol (Ray), David (Pauline), and sister-in-law Lynda; as well as his numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, close relatives, dear colleagues and wonderful friends. He is predeceased by his parents Kenneth and Audrey Clarance, and his brother John Clarance. Wayne was born in Stratford on June 26, 1948 and spent his formative years in the family home at 89 Brydges Street with his parents and five siblings. It was a small wartime house with three bedrooms and one bathroom yet somehow eight people managed to make it work. Money wasn't plentiful so Wayne and his brother John worked together shovelling snow, delivering newspapers and setting up pins at the Legion and Mike's Bowling Lanes to help out. Wayne developed a good work ethic in those early years which stayed with him throughout his life. Wayne was a proud 33-year veteran of the Stratford Fire Department. He began his career on January 1st, 1974, as a Suppression Firefighter. Wayne was promoted to Lieutenant on the 15th of July, 1990, and then to Captain on the 7th of April, 1997. He retired as Captain of D Squad on the 31st of March, 2007. Given Wayne's chosen profession, he helped countless individuals and families throughout the course of his career. Beyond the Fire Hall, Wayne's life revolved around his family, playing sports and spending time outdoors with close family and friends. After his retirement Wayne relocated to Dungannon where he spent his days on his farm, hiking through the forest, walking the “Nine Mile” river, observing wildlife, planting trees, and tending to his property which certainly kept him busy. Wayne's farm was his favourite place on earth and he loved sharing it with family, friends and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Everyone enjoyed fishing for Steelhead, camping and bonfires, cookouts, and family gatherings. When not on his farm, Wayne also enjoyed travelling, having taken multiple road trips across Canada to visit his sons and sister out West and to explore the vast wilderness that Canada has to offer. A notorious joker, Wayne sought to make people smile and was unabashedly himself. He is truly missed.

“And now he is withdrawn into a little land, within bounds that he has set though none can see them, waiting perhaps for a change of days, and he will not step beyond them.”

– J. R. R. Tolkien.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and details will be shared in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canada's Heart & Stroke Foundation by credit card through the W.G. Young Funeral Home, under Donate Now link provided, or directly through the charity. Condolences to the family may be forwarded through W.G. Young Funeral Home Ltd. at 430 Huron St., Stratford Ontario, N5A 5T7. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com

BEDARD, Clara Marie Jan 28, 1953 - Feb 15, 2023

Clara Marie Bedard (1953 - 2023) passed away peacefully on February 15, 2023 at Kingsway Lodge. She was predeceased by her parents, Claire and Willemina Bedard and her older brothers, Hank and Gerard. She is survived by her son, Michael (Tammi) and her two grandchildren, Emerson and Rowan; her sister, Betty Bedard Bidwell, brother in-law Stephen, and their children Jessica (Derek), Alisha, and Richard; Hank's children and grandchildren; Robert and Evelyn (Sydney and William), Michael and Laura (Harrison), Tom and Jodi (Cassidy and Tatum), Nicole (Tess and Tadhg). Also remembered by many Donnelly and Bedard cousins.

Clara began her career as a respiratory technician and later became a Registered Nurse. She worked in the Labour and Delivery Rooms in Prince Rupert, Nanaimo and Red Deer before returning to Ontario, with her husband and son, Michael, to reconnect with her family. In Ontario she worked at the Stratford General Hospital in the Labour and Delivery Room for the remainder of her nursing career, 35 years in total. She was also a First Aid and CPR instructor, lactation instructor, and was a Bereavement Counsellor for parents who had lost their children during pregnancy, delivery or within a few months after birth. She took the Acute Care of atrisk Newborns course to enhance her skills working with new mothers. Clara delivered hundreds of babies from the West Coast to Ontario.

Clara was generous with and giving of her talents and time. She was the director of Big Sisters in Stratford, did mission work in the Dominican Republic, and fund-raised for many organizations. Clara made hundreds of beautiful stained-glass pieces, many of which were masterpieces, and knitted dozens of sweaters for all of her family and their children and her friends and their children. She sewed, baked and the list goes on. No matter what Clara chose to do, she excelled.

Clara had many lifelong friends most of whom were nurses, and all having crazy senses of humour. She was 'one in a million' said one longtime friend. Quotes from other friends include: "She truly was one of the most selfless, empathetic people I have ever known"; "Clara's name is synonymous with the word "love" she cared about everyone and everything"; "She was passionate and committed to making the birth of someone's child the best moment of their lives"; "Clara had a sense of humour that endeared her to everyone that came in contact with her". Clara was the life of the party. In fact, the party did not begin until she arrived, late as usual, but when she did arrive, the party began. She loved euchre, played other games, enjoyed entertaining people, and just loved her friends and family deeply. She has given us all so much joy and laughter and made the world a better place. We will all truly and deeply miss her beautiful smile, laughter, and unique sayings.

We will be always grateful for the loving care given to her by the staff at Kingsway Lodge and by Briar Higgs and his staff, who traveled from Goderich to St. Mary's to support Clara.

Clara's family would especially like to acknowledge and thank Joan Robinson and Cheryl Yost for their love, compassion and care of Clara. A Celebration of Clara's life will be held on Saturday April 29, 2023 at the Goderich Royal Canadian Legion from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, lower level with time of sharing beginning at 2:30 pm. Donations to the Alzheimer's Association would be appreciated. Friends may sign the book of condolences at www.mccallumpalla.ca

KITTMER, Jane

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Jane Kittmer, age 51, of Lakeside. Jane passed away unexpectedly at Victoria Hospital in London on Sunday, February 19, 2023, with family at her side, after a brave and determined battle against cancer. Beloved wife, and partner of 30-years, of Jeff Stewart and adoring mother of Finn and Nolan Stewart. Daughter of Robert and Verlyn (nee Ash) Kittmer of Lakeside, and sister and best friend of Peggy Kittmer (Pat Mchugh) of St. Marys. World's best aunt of Molly and Oliver Mchugh and reunited with her late niece and nephew, Libby and William Mchugh (2005). Cherished daughter-in-law of Betty Anne Mustard (Dave) and Martha Stewart and the late Richard Mustard and Peter Stewart. Sister-inlaw of Jeremy Stewart (Meghan), Joel Stewart (Mandy), Trevor Mustard (Roisin), and Angela Broadley (Jim) and the late Aaron Stewart (2022). Jane attended Wildwood and A.J. Baker elementary schools, St. Marys D.C.V.I high school, and the University of Guelph, graduating with a BSC degree in earth sciences. Jane took great joy in her boys attending A.J. Baker elementary and was always very involved with the school and an advocate in keeping the school open when it was under threat of closing. Jane was a 20-year employee of The City of London working in the environmental services department at city hall as a quiet crusader to divert waste from landfills and spread the word on the importance of recycling. Jane understood the value of reducing her carbon footprint long before it became a talking point of political strategy. As an advocate for the environment Jane enjoyed being outdoors whenever possible, whether it was camping (preferably near a beach), entertaining friends and family in the back yard pool, hiking the trails of the Upper Thames, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, or her cherished time watching her boys play sports. No matter the venue there was always lots of family, fun, love and laughter. A private family visitation took place on Tuesday, February 21 followed by cremation. A public celebration of Jane's life will take place at the St. Marys Pyramid Recreation Center (St. Marys Arena), 317 James ST.S., St. Marys on Saturday, March 4, 2023 starting at 2 p.m. with words of remembrance at 4 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, the family prefers donations of blood by anyone who is able. As an option, memorial donations may be made to the St. Marys Health Care Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society through the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron St., Stratford. 519.271.7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com