Claudette Travia

Born in 1942, Claudette grew up in Geraldton, Western Australia. Her father, Gaetano, immigrated to Geraldton from Messina, Sicily in 1914, and her mother, Concetta, later journeyed from Capo d'Orlando, Sicily to join him. She was raised in a large, bustling household alongside her brothers Phillip, Frank, George, Tony, Vince, and Jeff, and her sisters Carmela and Margaret. Gaetano was an industry leader in the Geraldton rock lobster fishery for many years. Some of Claudette's favourite early memories were of time spent on her father's carrier boat, the Lady Joyous, travelling between Geraldton and the Abrolhos Islands, or watching the boat unload after docking.

It was in Western Australia that she met Ron, who was visiting the area while travelling. After he returned home, the two kept in touch by writing letters across the globe until Claudette made the courageous decision to journey to Canada to marry him. Though their marriage later ended, that bold move established her roots in Canada and brought her the two greatest joys of her life: her children, Pia and David. Although she embraced her adopted home, she ensured Pia and David grew up with a deep appreciation for their heritage (and always kept a jar of Vegemite in the cupboard), making certain they received their Australian citizenship. While Claudette travelled back frequently to visit her family, she and Ron also saved for and planned an extended trip so Pia and David could meet their relatives and experience the country firsthand.

Throughout her life, Claudette's core nature was expressed through her deep capacity for care and connection. Though she held a variety of jobs, her most enduring and cherished work was providing childcare. For Claudette, this was a true passion and an expression of who she was. She invested herself entirely in the lives of the children she watched over, going far beyond basic care to take an active role in their upbringing, forming bonds with them and their families. Her dedication to children also extended far beyond her own community. As a long-term donor with Plan International, Claudette provided ongoing sponsorship for many years, helping to fund education, healthcare, and a brighter future. Later in life, she continued to share her compassionate spirit locally as a Social Engagement Volunteer for long-term care residents, focusing on the meaningful personal connections she valued most.

Claudette was warmly affectionate and preferred the quiet intimacy of close friends and family over large social gatherings. Within this inner circle, she shared an especially strong relationship with her niece, Teresa. Teresa travelled to visit her annually, and the two were the best of friends. They supported each other and shared many laughs; simply put, Teresa was her "person," and Claudette was always at her happiest around her. Her hobbies reflected a peaceful nature. She was an avid reader, enjoyed playing solitaire, and had a lifelong fondness for cats. She had a remarkable talent for crochet and poured countless hours of love and energy into crafting intricate, beautiful items for her family. She took special pride in ensuring everyone in the family received a crocheted blanket, customized to their favourite colours and designs. For Claudette, the deepest joy came from giving her time and talents to those she loved. While she poured so much of her energy into caring for others, for herself she asked for very little (though she could rarely resist a good pizza or a piece of chocolate!).

Her ultimate passion was cooking and baking. Drawing inspiration from her deep Italian roots, she loved nothing more than preparing a meal filled with everyone's favourites, whether it was a spread of traditional Italian dishes or something new she knew her family would enjoy. Seeing everyone gathered around the table, sharing food, laughter, and time together, brought her the greatest happiness and contentment. She had a wonderful memory, and would take note when someone particularly enjoyed a meal or dessert, then make sure to prepare it for them again. It was her way of bringing happiness back to the people she loved. Her legendary baking skills meant the deep freeze was always miraculously stocked with an endless supply of her famous Nanaimo bars and baking squares, first for Pia and David when they were young, and later for her grandchildren.

Nurturing came naturally to her. Later in life, she took immense joy in her grandchildren, always eager to help and take an active role in their care. Her apartment reflected her mothering spirit, with walls covered in cherished family photos and spaces filled with vibrant, healthy plants she tended to with quiet devotion over many years. Claudette possessed a composed toughness and persistence. Despite living most of her adult life with chronic pain, she never allowed it to break her spirit or her fierce independence. Even on her hardest days, she put others first, always looking for ways to help and care for the people around her. It was such a gift to have experienced, and one she gave so freely and effortlessly.

She imparted many valuable lessons, whether through sage advice, carefully chosen words delivered exactly when they needed to be heard, or simply through the way she lived her life. She taught perseverance and resilience through adversity, and the importance of staying positive when it was difficult to do so. She instilled a trust in the healing power of time, reminding us that difficult times will pass, not persist. Above all, she taught the value of prioritizing family, taking every opportunity to show love to those closest to her, and finding meaning through kindness, connection, and giving. She encouraged her family to accept and be proud of themselves, to learn and grow from mistakes, to take care of themselves and their homes, and to be self-sufficient and diligent in their endeavours. Claudette was, at her core, a nurturing and generous soul who loved deeply and gave kindness to the world.

She is lovingly survived by her children, Pia and David, her grandchildren Audrey, Spencer, Sydney, and Sam, and her siblings Vince, Jeff, and Carmela.

We encourage you to honour Claudette's memory by sharing a meal or spending time with those you love, telling them how much they mean to you, or simply sending some extra kindness into the world.