Clara Jui-Yun (Lai) Dollery

Clara was born in Taichung, Taiwan in 1933, the youngest of six children. While her formative years were marked by war, occupation and martial law, Clara chose to forge a new path across the globe. Clara earned a Bachelors of Arts from Providence University in Taichung (then known as Providence College and a women-only post-secondary institution) with a concentration on math, a skill she applied to becoming a bookkeeper.

In 1969, after the passing of her father, Clara moved halfway around the world to Vancouver, Canada, to make friends, experience a different country and culture, and to see what the world had to offer a bright, beautiful and brave young woman. Already a polyglot, Clara set out to learn English and it is through the extended friend group she made while in English language school, that she met the love of her life Warren, not too long after arriving in Canada.

Warren and Clara married in 1973, and welcomed their only child, a daughter they named Margaret, the next year. Early on in her time in Vancouver, Clara joined the MacDonald and Lumsden Footwear Distributors working at 101 Water Street at their Town Shoe retail store and warehouse, as a bookkeeper. Being very fashion forward and with access to a staff discount, Clara’s beautiful and extensive wardrobe was surpassed only by her stunning shoe collection.

Clara took early retirement in the mid-80s and eventually encouraged her husband to do the same in the 90s. From there neither of them looked back as they travelled across a huge part of the globe visiting all the countries and historical sights that they could. They became regular cruisers, often cruising 2-3 times a year and fast becoming part of the Princess Cruises Captain's Circle.

As their age increased and their travelling lessened, Clara enjoyed time with her granddaughter Anya and was often found trying to feed and spoil her despite Margaret’s lighthearted grumbling.

Clara is survived by her husband Warren, daughter Margaret (Cividino) and son-in-law Benito, and her granddaughter Anya, all of Burnaby, BC.

Clara is also survived by her nephew Sean (Fisher) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews through Taiwan, the United States and Canada.

Clara’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses, doctors and staff in the 2D Palliative Care unit at Burnaby General Hospital for their grace, support and kindness to Clara in her final weeks.

By request there will be a family viewing on Friday, May 9th. In lieu of flowers the family would be grateful for donations made in Clara’s memory to the Burnaby Hospital Foundation.