CLARA FRANCES SMITH (FOOT)

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CLARA FRANCES SMITH (nee FOOT) Peacefully, with family at her side, Clara Frances Smith passed away in the early afternoon of December 6, 2006 at the Concordia Hospital. Clara was predeceased by her husband Walter in 1988; sisters, Hannah Wilson, Margaret Fox, and Violet Gilmore; brother Charles Foot; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She leaves to cherish her memory, son Donald; daughter Peggy (Bill) Findlater; grandchildren, Will Findlater and Jenna Findlater; sisters, Beatrice Crow and Mable Ellis; sisters-in-law Edith Smith and Clara Moore; as well as many nieces and nephews. Clara was born September 9, 1912 on the family dairy farm just north of Winnipeg. In 1918, the family moved to the farm north of Stonewall where she lived the rest of her life. She attended Centre School, Stonewall Collegiate, and Normal School in Winnipeg. In August 1931, at the age of 18, she began her teaching career at Rockwood School and later moved to Balmoral School. In July 1942, she married Walter Smith at Victoria All Saints Church. They had met while Clara was teaching at Rockwood. Together, they farmed and raised their family on the original Foot farm, which Walter had purchased in 1940. She briefly returned to teaching at Balmoral in the 1960s. Mom will be remembered for her colourful and spectacular flower beds and yard that were often admired by those passing by. As late as October 2006, she was still tending her gardens; at the same time keeping her mind active by doing the Cryptoquote and other puzzles in the paper. But the overwhelming joy of her life was her two grandchildren and their accomplishments. Prayers will be held 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 10 at the MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall. Funeral service will be held from the Church of the Ascension, Stonewall at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 11. Pallbearers will be her nephews Tom, Stan and John Fox, Ray and Brent Smith and Gerald Peterson. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Ascension, Stonewall or a charity of their choice. MacKenzie Funeral Home Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 09, 2006