Eunice Clement

After a final Christmas surrounded by love and laughter, Eunice Clement passed away peacefully at the family cabin in the early hours of December 26, with her five daughters by her side. She was a beloved wife, Mom, Nanny, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, and friend.

Eunice was born February 3, 1935 in Riverhurst, Saskatchewan. When she was a girl the family relocated to Barwick, Ontario, and Eunice lived the rest of her life in the Fort Frances area. It was while attending a dance there as a teenager that she met her future husband. Eunice married Don Clement in 1952, and the couple went on to have five daughters together.

When their girls were young, Eunice and Don built the first cabins at what would become the family’s haven and spiritual home at Factor Lake. For years Eunice dreamed of building a grand log home on the hill among the pines, and with hard work from their entire family that dream became a reality in 1986. Eunice and Don spent many happy years living full-time at the lake and the family continues to gather there for Christmas, during summer holidays, and even for weddings.

Eunice was extremely proud of her family, and was utterly devoted to her daughters and son-in-laws, her 10 grand-children, and her 12 great-grandchildren. She was a selfless woman who dedicated her life to caring for others — both those directly related to her, and those who were family of the heart. She babysat the children of close friends, and spent many years caring for her own beloved parents as they aged. She had a special relationship with her grand-children and great-grand-children, many of whom spent extended periods of time with “Nanny and Grandad” up at the cabin as young children. They will fondly remember her snuggling them to sleep and making cozy beds for them on her bedroom floor. She was an excellent cook, and worked hard to provide delicious food for her large family. Always very involved and never one to sit on the sidelines, she enjoyed joining them in activities from tobogganing to waterskiing, and was even known to put her foot in the ski rope if she was feeling particularly daring.

She loved music, and it soothed her soul. When feeling stressed or worried, Eunice would get up and play the piano — even in the middle of the night. She sang and hummed constantly, and also loved to listen to music and to dance. Dignified, elegant, and classy, she had a naturally youthful appearance (she never had need to dye her hair) and her eyes and ears stayed sharp even as she aged. She was loving, sensitive, empathetic, compassionate, and also courageous and feisty when the need called for it.

Eunice was predeceased by her husband of more than 60 years, Don; by her parents Robert and Jean Gibson, by her brother Lorne Gibson, sisters-in-law Marjorie Advent and Louise Clement, and brothers-in-law John Advent and Horst Werner.

She is survived by her daughters Donnas (Al) Stuart, Cyndy (Barry) Petsnick, Renee (Frank) Martin, Teryl (Sandy) McFarland and Lisa (Rick) Krishka; her grandchildren Dave, Tracy, Travis, Allana, Brienne, Bryce, Jaymee, Ashley, Donny, Jillian and their spouses; and her great-grandchildren Ellie, Grace, McKinley, Asher, Samson, Oliver, Isla, Mollie, Rowan, Louis, Hunter, and Olivia. Eunice’s passing is also grieved by her sister-in-law Maxine Werner, her brother-in-law Max Clement, as well as her many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will celebrate Eunice’s life at their cabin by the lake this coming summer. She will be deeply missed by her loved ones.

“Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.” - John Muir