Galway, Clara (Age 97, Listowel)

Clara MacLaughlin GALWAY (nee Starratt) of Listowel, on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at the age of 97 years. Loving wife of Roy Galway for almost 73 years. Mother of Jim Galway and Meg Shuebrook of St. Clements, Mi “Margaret” and Roddy Faulkner of Bass River, NS, and Peter Galway and Janice Hodder of Listowel. Grandmother of Dan Galway and Angie Vaughan, Abe Galway and Tanya Lee, Jason and Tessa Faulkner, Jodi Faulkner, and Megan and Dustin Eberle, and great-grandmother of Alexander, Kalen, Addy, Amaya, and Alivia. Sister of Barbara Hood of Truro, NS. Predeceased by sisters Evelyn McLellan and Joyce Starratt.
One of 4 daughters born and brought up in Bass River, Nova Scotia by her parents James and Jenny (MacLaughlin) Starratt. She attended NSAC where she was the only female in her class, and later went on to MacDonald college (McGill) where she received a BSc in horticulture. It was there she met her future husband Roy.
Clara had three children and was a stay at home mom until she initiated a garden centre at the co-op and worked there as the manager for 25 years, giving out much sought-after advice. She also taught many courses and seminars in gardening and landscaping over the years.
Clara loved her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly and they meant the world to her. She loved life and always treated people with respect, dignity and caring.
Music was a very large part of her life.  She sang in the church choir up until recently, and also sang in the church choir in Bass River with her mother and three sisters until her mother’s death.  She and her sisters continued on singing, becoming well known up and down the Cobequid Bay as “ The Starratt Sisters”. Clara also was a member of both the Concert Singers and the Bell handchoir at her church.
A very committed member of Trinity United Church, Listowel, Clara was very involved with the UCW, also volunteering for many activities, church dinners and funerals. She served on the board in many different capacities, one of her many accomplishments is the beautiful Christmas backdrop she built for the church sanctuary around 1958, and it still adorns the church today. Clara was very active in Scouting Canada for 25 plus years serving as a Cub leader and attending many conferences and seminars.
Also, an enthusiastic curler, Clara was still curling at the age of 95. At that time, she was recognized as the oldest active curler in Ontario. As a skip, she led her teams to many victories over the years. Through curling, she made many friends and helped many beginners get started in the sport.
Clara spent her summers at the cottage in Little Bass River, where many activities took place, many family suppers and nightly card games, and also doing things with her sister Barb. She was also a painter, a fabulous seamstress and an active golfer well into her years.
A Celebration of Clara’s life will be held at Trinity United Church, Listowel, on Thursday, May 14th at 11 AM. Reverend Steven Cox officiating. Reception to follow. Interment in Riverside United Cemetery, Colchester County, Nova Scotia. Arrangements entrusted to Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel. 
Memorial donations to Trinity United Church, Listowel, or Riverside United Church, Bass River, would be appreciated. Online condolences available at eatonfuneralhome.ca

Categorised in: Obituaries

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