Claire Elizabeth McGettigan

She is no longer in any pain, and will be catching up on all the “bizz” with her dear friends and family who have been saving a spot for her. The craic will be mighty. Back together with our dad, Jim, reunited with her favourite, Cormac (you all know it's true:)), and friends like Marjorie, Sylvia, and Kathleen… her brother, John. So, so many more there to greet her.

Back here on Earth, mom will be missed by her children, Kathryn (Bob) and John (Leanne) and much loved grandchildren, Seamus, Grace, and Sean and his mom Becky. Mom's siblings will miss their “big” sister: Margaret and Joe Haire, Anne Boardman, and Arthur and Carmel McGarrigle, as will all of mom's McGarrigle-side, McFadden, and Morrison nieces and nephews, and dear cousin Liz McNulty and family.

Claire was born in Strabane, Ireland, to Tommy and Ellen McGarrigle, the oldest of five children. At 18, she moved down the road to Derry to become a nurse. When she graduated and began work at Altnagelvin Hospital, she met and, and fell for a handsome doctor named Jim McGettigan. Mom made it possible for our dad to focus on his career, and eased every aspect of his (and our!) home life. Think of how brave she was to uproot her life in Ireland to move to Kelvington, Saskatchewan… in December. But she loved it, joined in the community wholeheartedly, and made lifelong friends there. Another move in 1970 to Saskatoon meant our Dad would be busier than ever… And that she would be closer to family and the Irish community. The consummate hostess, mom fed and watered a crowd every weekend. Can you taste the ham on soda bread… the pickled onions… the little sausages…the whiskey cake? Nothing made her happier than being able to make people feel welcome. She did that with acts of service, and gave generously with her gift of baking and cooking. It was how she showed her love. Anyone lucky enough to have enjoyed one of her “full Irish breakfasts”, well that was The Peak Claire Experience.

So sure, mom loved her kids, but it was her grandkids who she loved most purely. She relaxed into their joyful and unconditional love for her unlike anything else. Up until her last week, she was buying their favourite chocolate bars and cookies. They had to be careful what they said they liked, because ten boxes would suddenly appear in her cupboard. They found everything she did sweet and funny, what a gift. They will miss their Nana.

Mom had so many friends who cared about her, and a better social calendar than most of us. If you count yourself among that group, know that she loved you, and we are so grateful for your friendship with her. You made her life rich and full.

Two years ago, when moms health declined and she needed to move into less independent living, mom went kicking and screaming into Columbian Manor… and it was there that she lived some of the happiest years of her life. The community she found there kept her vibrant and engaged. We cannot thank the staff and residents enough.

While our mom experienced significant hardship and tragedy in her life, she never gave up and always channeled her grief into giving and serving. We can all take a lesson from her.

Think of her when you have a cup of tea…cut the crusts off your sandwiches…bite into sugary shortbread… and live a life rich with people in her memory.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday Nov 16th, 2024 at St. Philip Neri Church (1902 Munroe Street, Saskatoon) with Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI Celebrant. We would love for you to join us if you can, for those unable please view the service at https://fweb.tv/159794. Rite of Christian Burial will follow at Woodlawn Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/123062