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 at-Risk 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.

Condolences for the family of “BEDARD: Clara Marie”

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