MCGILL, Clara Lydia McGill

She grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She was the seventh of ten children, daughter of Theodore Hoffman from Russia and Mary Herman from Saskatchewan.

Clara Lydia McGill loved piano, singing, and reciting poetry. Her closest ally and best friend was her sister Martha. She enjoyed visiting her grandparents on their farm in Longlaketon, Saskatchewan. At 18, after completing stenography, she traveled alone by train to Ottawa to work as a secretary in the Entomology Department at the Experimental Farm with a battalion of men. Despite her tiny frame and barely five feet tall, she quickly earned their respect due to her diligence and competence. In those days, one worked 5.5 days and Clara worked Saturday afternoons at a fancy dress shop on Sparks Street Mall which allowed her to collect and afford her very glamorous style. She was an organizing member of the Protestant Women’s Club of Ottawa and loved hosting dances. After a series of suitors, she finally settled on a young man from York, England, and married Noel Ian Murray McGill who had emigrated to Canada for work as a civil engineer. They married on November 6, 1954, at St John’s Lutheran Church on Crichton Street. They raised four children at 772 Byron Ave. Clara was firm in her faith and dragged the family to Faith Lutheran Church every Sunday without fail. We were rewarded by Dad with Dunkin Donuts or Dairy Queen afterwards. Our house was a cosmopolitan centre for lavish entertaining as Clara was an accomplished cook and skillful baker, often serving a bevy of choices such as Baked Alaska, Black Forest Cake and lemon Chiffon. She and Ian cultivated many dear friendships. She sang in the church choir, participated in church events, and volunteered for many years in the cancer clinic at the Civic Hospital, often modelling for their fashion charity events. Christmas was a wonderful season because of all her exceptional baking and tireless efforts to make it special. Ian and Clara travelled extensively and joyously after his retirement.

She will always be remembered as a kind, precious and supportive Wife, Mother and a generously loving Nana. Her beloved husband: Ian McGill. Cherished Children: Dianne McGill (Peter Weir), Jennifer Carmanico (Tony), Murray McGill (Angela Payment), Pamela McGill (Luigi Del Gobbo). Grandchildren: Matthew DiGiuseppe (Daphne Chu), Marissa Meabry (Merlin Farley), Alanna Jean Meabry (Zach Neilson), Alicia Thiffault (Dustin), James Carmanico (Emile Flanick), Jordan McGill (Kristen), Zachary McGill, Giulia Del Gobbo (Blake Butler), Stefanie Del Gobbo (Ben Blackford), Natalie Del Gobbo (Cameron Foot). Great grandchildren: Rowan and Lilliana Thiffault, Ainsley McGill, Charlotte Carmanico, and Arwen Farley.

We lost our dear Wife, Mother and Nana, but all our memories of her are truly with us eternally. She was a sweet, elegant, loving, kind, gentle, thoughtful, generous spirit right to the very end. We are grateful we all got to surround her with love till her final breath.

Rest in peace, our dearest soul.

Clara’s visitation, service, and reception start at 11:00 at Tubman Funeral Homes in Westboro, 403 Richmond Rd., on Tuesday, July 28th. Parking available. 
Visitation 11:00
Service 12:00-12:30
Reception 12:30 -2:00

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity in Clara’s honour.