(Elizabeth) Clare MacLean, Mom or Nanny (her favourite name) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 17th surrounded by her family and friends. Clare’s long hard battle with cancer was softened by the relentless care of her loving husband Paul, her children, her siblings and all her extended family and friends. She spent her last few years surrounded by the people she loved most and as much of that time as possible with her grandchildren.
Mom’s favourite thing to do was getting together with family and friends. This was made easy because there were so very, very many of them. Whether it was her Boxing Day potluck with the massive Butler family, vacation time in the Valley or family gatherings with the somehow equally huge MacLean family, travelling to Ingonish, playing Bingo or Scrabble at the dinner table into the late-night hours with best friend, Linda; Mom was always happiest when she was with people she loved.
There was nothing in the world mom loved more than her kids…until she had grandkids. Even though the kids might have debated about who was the favourite, they quickly found out they were all a distant 2nd when Lucy came around, then Henry, then Violet. By the time Riley, Leo and Connor (the triplets) arrived her kids Stephen, Shaun and Paula gladly sat back tied for 7th place as Nanny gave the grandkids what her kids were always given growing up and that was all her time, attention and love. In her final days she still asked for her grandchildren. Even when there was no energy left there was love in her heart and she wanted them to feel it…and they did.
She loved her family and friends fiercely and cared for them selflessly. Her selflessness taught us all to give whatever we could give to those in need; and if you couldn’t give them anything, maybe you could help them file their income tax. She was an avid volunteer and donor to groups and foundations across Cape Breton. She was a Beaver Leader, a Youth Group Leader, Canadian Cancer Society organizer, a volunteer with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canada Revenue Agency, Hospice Cape Breton and a giver to so many other community events and causes.
Born on March 9, 1956, Clare was the daughter of the late Jean (MacPhee) and William (Bill) Butler. Clare is survived by her loving husband, Paul MacLean, and their children, Stephen (Corrine), Shaun (Alison) and Paula (Andrew), and her 10 siblings: Frances (Robert), Coleen (Jack), Bill (Alexis), Theresa (Steven), Margie (Paul), Jeannie (Robert), John (Susan), Shaun (Laura), Kathleen (Bruce) and Carole (Gilles).
Nanny is survived by her adored and precious grandchildren: Lucy, Henry, Violet, Riley, Leo and Connor and many nieces and nephews.
Clare is also survived by her four sisters-in-law, Judy (Hector), Karen, Marie and Mary (Richard) and brother-in-law, John.
Besides her parents, Clare is predeceased by her father and mother-in-law, Allister and Lorraine (Nugent) MacLean; brother William Jr. in infancy; sister Eileen in childhood; brother-in-law, Allister; sister-in-law, Susan; niece Tara; and nephew Chad.
The family extends a warm thank you to all the medical staff and volunteers on 3B and An Cala units for the care, comfort and support provided to Clare, family and friends.
Visitation will be held at TW Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George St. Sydney, on Sunday July 21, 2024 from 7 - 9 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Sydney River on Monday July 22, 2024 at 11:00 am with Father Conrad Edwards officiating. A private inurnment for family will occur later.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Cape Breton or the Canadian Cancer Society.
