Claire Jewers

It is with sadness that the family announces the passing of Claire Jewers on October 3, 2019, after a brief time in hospital at the age of 87, surrounded by her beloved husband of 65 years, Gerry, and her three girls.

In addition to her husband and daughters, Judy (Claude), Robin (Dave) and Leslie; she is survived by her six grandchildren, Simon, Christopher, Gabriel, Alex (Corey), Patrick and Ian; sister, Judy Stratford (Tom); nieces, Kendall, Susan and Christine; sister-in-law, Peggy Reel (Ranjit) and nephew John.

Claire was a vivacious, creative, bright woman with a love for learning who led a life rich with family, friendships and travel.

Claire lived her entire life in Winnipeg. She was born on January 10, 1932 to Norman and Beulah Woodcock, and grew up in the Riverview neighbourhood with her younger sister Judy. Gerry, her future husband, also grew up in Riverview and, according to family lore, they first met as infants while being pushed by their mothers in baby prams.

Claire attended Riverview School, Lord Roberts School and Kelvin High School and then pursued studies at the Faculty of Agriculture and Home Economics at the University of Manitoba, where she graduated in 1953 with a B.Sc.(H.Ec.). She was always at or near the top of her class and was graduating class valedictorian at Kelvin High and again at the University of Manitoba. Claire loved university life and in addition to academics, she participated in student government as the President of the Women’s Association.

When Claire graduated, there was no employment available in Winnipeg in her chosen field. She might have gone elsewhere but she did not want to leave her childhood sweetheart, Gerry, who was then a student at the University of Manitoba Law Faculty. Consequently, she worked as an accounting clerk at the Winnipeg offices of the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company until, three years later, the university offered her a position as a lecturer in textiles - an offer she accepted with alacrity!

Claire and Gerry were married in 1954, and she became a full time parent and homemaker a few years later with the arrival of their daughters. When she felt the girls were old enough she returned to the University of Manitoba, this time to the Faculty of Education, graduating in 1976 with a Permanent Professional Certificate. She taught grade one in the St. Boniface School Division for a few years, and then returned to the University to earn a B.Ed. in Special Education. Following graduation Claire worked as a resource teacher in the St. James School Division and the St. Vital School Division until her retirement in 1991. In retirement, Claire continued to demonstrate that it was never too late to learn, attending classes at the University of Winnipeg 55 Plus Program and reading voraciously. She also practised Tai Chi and went regularly to the Reh Fit Centre.

Claire had a lifelong interest in clothing, textiles, colour and design - sewing elegant outfits and gowns for herself and adorable (often matching) outfits for her three girls, knitting elaborate sweaters and afghans, and designing quilts and other pieces of fabric art. To family and friends, she was known for her vibrant colour sense reflected in her home decor and her extensive rooster collection.

She enjoyed theatre, music and art, and along with Gerry regularly attended the Prairie Theatre Exchange, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. She and Gerry also travelled extensively in Europe and the southern United States, and to Egypt, Turkey, New Zealand and Australia. A highlight was a trip to Iceland in 2017, the birthplace of Claire’s maternal grandparents, in the company of Gerry and her three girls.

Her favourite place in the world was the family cottage at Victoria Beach where she spent time every summer of her life. Some of our fondest memories of Claire are the cottage times; hikes and bike rides, lively gatherings with friends, after dinner card games and board games, doing the dinner dishes while dancing to The Big Chill, and Claire wowing her grandchildren with her ability to complete the weekend crossword.

Claire’s life was blessed with many close and cherished friends. She enjoyed good times with her bridge club (that did not play bridge) and the volleyball group (that did not play volleyball). The last few years of Claire’s life were marked by dementia but she still found happiness in times with family and friends and was able to answer crossword clues right to the end.

A Celebration of Claire’s life will be held on Saturday, October 26 at 1:00 pm at The Pavilion at Assiniboine Park, 55 Pavilion Crescent.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Claire’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.