Lynne Carole (Clarke) Wilson

Lynne was born on August 12, 1938 in Trinidad, West Indies to Hilton & Ivy Clarke. She was the youngest of four children. Her siblings, Eileen, Lloyd & Geddes have all predeceased her. Lynne attended Holy Name Convent and from a very young age wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mother and become a Secretary. At the age of 17, her dream came true when she started her first job as a Secretary. Lynne also loved to dance and throughout her life would bust a move at every opportunity.

Another passion was Field Hockey which she began playing at the age of 11. Lynne travelled with her team throughout Trinidad and eventually to Canada for a tournament in 1963. She instantly fell in love with Canada noticing quite a difference to her native Trinidad. She decided thereafter that she wanted to migrate. On her return home, she applied for resident status and 5 years later made her solo journey to Canada to start a new life. Lynne moved in with my Mom’s youngest sister, Esther, in her Toronto apartment and secured a job as a Secretary with an insurance company.

Later that same year Lynne attended what was probably the first event hosted by the St. Catharines/Port of Spain Twinning Association where she met her future husband, Paul. In the years that followed, they volunteered and billeted for the Twinning Association. At one point both she and her brother Lloyd were active members in their respective countries. As Paul lived in Niagara Falls and Lynne in Toronto, they embarked on a 5 year long-distance relationship. Eventually, Lynne and Paul bought a home in Niagara Falls and for a while, she commuted to her job in Toronto until she found something closer to home. After working for a few local companies, she eventually landed a job in the Clerk’s dept at Niagara Falls City Hall and remained there contentedly until retirement in 2003.

Lynne loved life and treasured her friends and family and this is evident in the photos displayed. She always talked about attending parties with her brother Geddes, playing in carnival bands, outings and vacations to the beach and boat trips down the islands while still living in Trinidad. She was real “hot foot” as we say in Trinidad. Here in Canada, I often wondered when she slept. She always seemed to be up late, sewing, cleaning house, cooking and going to the grocery at all hours because she was missing an ingredient for her recipe. It seemed as though she couldn’t go to bed until the City was shut down for the night. As she always said “I don’t want to miss out on anything”. I think she had wings, but I am certain she never drank a Red Bull in her life. Lynne and husband Paul enjoyed travelling and visited Asia, the Caribbean, the States and some of the provinces throughout Canada. Unfortunately, she lost Paul in 2010 after almost 35 years of marriage.

Due to life’s changes and challenges, Lynne moved into Lundy Manor for assisted living in February 2019 and a couple years later moved over to the Niagara Long Term Care Residence. She was loved by all the care attendants and was always the life of the party, chipping away on the dance floor and sipping on her rum and water at evening socials. She was a tough bird, fought the good fight and did the best she could with the hand she was dealt.

Lynne would be extremely pleased that you came out today to celebrate her life and share the memories we all hold in our hearts. She’s now in a good place with her husband, father, mother, sister and brothers.

We love you Auntie Lynne, Rest in Peace.

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Passed peacefully on Good Friday, April 7, 2023. Lynne, at the age of 84, was predeceased by her husband Paul Wilson, her parents: Hilton and Ivy Clarke, her sister, Eileen Farnum and her brothers: Lloyd Farnum and Geddes Clarke. Aunt to Roger (Debra) Farnum, Denise Farnum, Ian Farnum, David Farnum, Paul (Angelique) Farnum, Angelique (Whrener) Sun Fore Chee, Roxanne (Abraham) Ali-Hassan, Camille (Lennox) Williams, Raymon (Brigitte) Clarke, Kristina Wilson, Valerie (David) Rapp, and Shannon Wilson. Great Aunt to Anisa (Philip), Aaron (Stephanie), Aisha (Saeed), Jo-Anne (Kerwin), Ryan (Nicole), Amanda, Alexander, Wesley, Andre, Austin, Scott, Cristian, Jessica, Ashley, Grace, Noah, Diesel and Maddon. Sister-in-law to Grace Farnum, Erica Clarke and David (Patricia) Wilson. Dear friend for many years to Anne and Dan Roscoe.

Special thanks to the management and staff of Lundy Manor and Niagara LTC for all the wonderful care and attention over the last four years.

The family will hold a Memorial Service in her honour to take place at Hetherington & Deans Funeral Chapel, 5176 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls on Friday April 21, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Flowers are welcomed. Those wishing to make donations, the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region has been suggested by the family.

At the request of Lynne’s family, if you are not feeling in good health please consider watching the live stream of the service at www.hetheringtonanddeans.com, where you may also share your online condolences for the family.