LACLARE: In Loving Memory of Marie Louise LaClare who was born February 28, 1923 at Edam, SK and passed away peacefully at Lady Minto Health Care Centre, Edam, SK on Saturday, June 11, 2011. Left to cherish Marie's memory are her children Larry LaClare and JoAnn McCaffrey, Edam, SK, Maurice and Diane LaClare, Edam, SK, Patti and Neil Suttill, Meadow Lake, SK, Cami and Denis Jullion, Edam, SK, Moni and Garry Wappel, North Battleford, SK, Paulette and Duncan MacRae, Sudbury, Ont., Bernard and Lynette LaClare, Edam, SK, Denis and Vickie LaClare, Bakersfield, Ca.; daughter-in-law Elaine LaClare, Edam, SK; twenty-five grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; sister Louise Morin as well as numerous other relatives. Marie was predeceased by her husband Gilbert LaClare, son Paul LaClare, parents Arthur and Georgianna Regnier, four brothers and five sisters. A celebration of Marie's life was held in the Edam Community Centre Auditorium on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor David Walker officiating. Scripture readings were shared by Granddaughters Diana MacRae and Amy Crossland. Hymns sung were "Blessed Assurance" and "Near The Cross" accompanied by Lorna Walker. The eulogy was shared by Denis LaClare and Moni Wappel. Active pallbearers were Gilbert LaClare, Jacob LaClare, Jesse LaClare, Joey LaClare, Joseph Wappel and Shane LaClare. Internment was held at the Edam Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lady Minto Health Care Centre Resident Fund or a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements were entrusted to McCaw Funeral Service, Turtleford, SK. Remembering Mom As we reminisced over the last few days about Mom's long and rich life, a few themes seemed to emerge that reflected most clearly who she was. Those virtues, among many, were her unconditional love for people, her indomitable, pioneering spirit, her capacity to grow as a person, and her great sense of humor. We all experienced Mom's unconditional love . She extended a tangible acceptance to everyone, often expressed in her ability to genuinely listen to others. As granddaughter Any Jullion recalls, "She would always say the right things, and give me some much-needed words of wisdom. I would always leave feeling so much better. I still hold onto her words of wisdom to this day. In those moments, I felt as though what I had to say was of the utmost importance to her. She loved me unconditionally, that I was always certain of." Mom also had a pioneer's indomitable spirit . She took her Saskatchewan farm girl know-how and work ethic to Ontario where she found employment in a factory during WWII for 35 cents an hour! Upon return to the West both Mom and Dad were relieved that the other was still available, and they were married in 1947. Like other women of her era, she endured much hardship without complaint. Maintaining a modern household is challenging enough, but Mom cared for her large family by growing a big garden, watering it from the river. She also demonstrated an incredible sewing ability, did all the baking, cleaning, and other tasks that simply needed to be done. All while living in a small house full of kids that were heavily involved in extra-curricular activities, especially figure skating and hockey. Mom was also someone that was always growing as a person . She was a voracious reader, and a very good writer as well. As a young girl she placed 1st in a Saskatchewan French literature competition. Along with Dad, she also passed the French language on to her kids, although some of us weren't paying attention! All was not lost though as Russian and Spanish are also spoken in the family today, demonstrating a value for learning and growing. Mom's life was truly characterized by humility. St. Bernadette was quoted as saying, "What will be the crown of those who, humble within and humiliated without, have imitated the humility of our Savior in all its fullness!" Mom had a deep relationship with our Savior, and humbly depended on his death and resurrection for us, rather than anything she could have done to earn her own way to heaven by good works. When Mom was a girl she also enjoyed sports, especially softball, and was picked up by another team to continue playing. She also had a great love for music, and played in a band in her youth. Her love of music continued all her life, and she would love to listen to music, and even get up and dance in the activity room. And even though she would have rather stayed at home than traveled, for the sake of her kids she has been in 5 countries on 3 continents, Mom may not have floated down the St. Lawrence like the early voyageurs, but she traveled, and embodied their love for music and dancing and having a good time! Mom had a great sense of humor . Many years ago during a Regnier reunion, each family was to perform a skit. Mom had the family do a skit about Dad doing a caesarean, complete with Denis and Bernard emerging as the newborn calves. Another time, at Halloween, her and Celine Bellanger painted themselves black and dressed up as boxers Mohammed Ali and Joe Frazier, visiting people around Edam playing the role like professional actors. We could have said a lot more in remembrance of Mom, but we did want to celebrate her unconditional love, indomitable spirit, her desire to grow and develop as a person and her great sense of humor . Let us close with this quote from St. Ignatius, which frames Mom's life perfectly: "No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire." Thank you. Denis LaClare and Monica (LaClare) Wappel Card of Thanks The family of Marie LaClare would like to thank the staff of Lady Minto for your kind and compassionate care of Mom since she moved in in 2004, and also for your kindness in accommodating our family in our time with Mom over the past weeks. A special thank you to our brother Larry and sister Cami for your care of Mom over the years. We felt confident that under your care, Mom was being looked after in the best possible way. Thank you to Pastor David Walker for conducting the service and Lorna Walker for her accompaniment on the piano, and for all who participated in the service. We appreciate each one of you. Thank you to the six Grandsons who were pallbearers for Mom. Thank you to the Edam C.W.L. for providing lunch. Thank you to Glenn McCaw and the Turtleford funeral home for your care in making the arrangements. Thank you for the cards, flowers, food, phone calls and visits, donations, and especially for your prayers and support. Thank you to everyone who joined us in the celebration of Mom's life. ____________________________________________________
