Clara Edith Cartmell passed away in Chilliwack Hospital, January 2nd, 2010 at the age of 91 years. She was born November 10th, 1918 in New Westminster, BC. (The following morning Church Bells rang to signal the end of WWI but her father said they rang to celebrate his daughter’s birth.)
Clara is survived by her sister Anne Clegg of Rosedale, her brother Harry Cartmell of Aylmer, Ontario, nieces Barbara (Dwaine) Brooke, Maureen Smithers, Peggy (Wayne) Robinson, Jane Clegg, nephews Richard (Daphne) Clegg, Jack (Ruby) Clegg, and Ian Cartmell, and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Edith Cartmell, her sister Eva Cartmell and an infant brother.
Clara was raised in a series of communities along the Fraser and Harrison rivers, as her father Captained several sternwheelers and ferries. She was educated at Rosedale, Chilliwack and then UBC where she excelled. She then went on to work as a teacher at Slocan and Bralorne. Then with other teachers she worked three years at a WWII armaments factory in Sorel, Quebec.
She returned to BC and soon took a position organizing maps for the municipality of Chilliwack. There she advanced to become Deputy Clerk. She enjoyed many hobbies including needlework, coin collecting, and scrapbooking.
She kept fit by maintaining her lawn with a reel mower, riding her bike to work and choosing walking over driving. She carried out extensive correspondence with friends and relatives, remembering birthdays and writing letters to nieces and nephews. She spent much time visiting patients at the hospital. Clara was a soprano in the United Church choir and was very involved in many other ways with her church.
After retiring from the Municipal Hall she turned to running the Red Cross loan cupboard. She never forgot her civil service background, financially supporting several causes and corresponding with local politicians etc. with suggestions. Her community work was of great importance to her and she spent many happy hours helping with numerous charities. She was recognized as “Citizen of the Year” in 1986.
The family would like to thank the staff at Bradley Centre and Dr. Fitzpatrick for the wonderful care given to Clara in the past year.
At the request of Clara, a private family service will be held at a later date.
Online condolences can be left at www.hendersonsfunerals.com