Clare Helen (Downey) Tarves
August 11, 1929 - October 11, 2017
Clare was born in St Joseph's Hospital in Comox, BC to Jack and Evis Downey. She grew up in Comox Logging Camp 3 and had fond memories of her summers spent at Williams Beach with her brothers and
sisters and the other Camp 3 families. In 1953, Clare married Loyd and they raised five children. They lived in White Rock for 10 years before returning to the Comox Valley where they lived at Saratoga Beach and then a small farm in Black Creek. In her retirement, Clare moved into Courtenay.
Four years ago, she moved to Glade, BC to live with her daughter, Susan and son-in-law, Gery. Clare was content because she had a beautiful view from her room, and was surrounded by family, having grandchildren and great grandsons living close by. She passed away peacefully at home. Clare was proud to be a descendent of the Andertons who settled in the Comox Valley in 1881.
Family was the most important thing to Clare. She loved planning family events and would spend days preparing everyone's favourite dishes. Large family gatherings for Christmas were a special time for her when she would cook and bake, and give handmade gifts.
She was very creative, her many crafts included decorating cakes, knitting, crocheting, and making Christmas decorations. A skilled seamstress, she made clothes first for her kids and then her grandkids, one of her latest projects was making quilts for her grandkids and great grandsons.
Clare will be greatly missed by her children Cathy, Susan (Gery), Ann (Ian), Roger (Shirley) and Marnie (Ian).
Predeceased by siblings Jack, Pauline and Rex she is survived by siblings Dick, Grace and Raymond.
She was Nana to Laurel (Matt), Moss (Yvonne), Chris, Brad, Nicola, Erik, Anna, Kirsten, Niela, Roger, Naomi, Ella, Colin, Arlo, Jocelyn and great grandsons Ty, Cale and Reve.
A private family gathering will be held in November.
Condolences to the family can be sent through Ann at atarves7@gmail.com.
Castlegar Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.