Obituary of Claire Steward

Rose Claire Steward Our mother, Claire Steward (Nee O'Fee) of Kamloops, British Columbia, passed away on September 2, 2014 at the age of 89. Mom is survived by her husband George's siblings, Margaret Robinson, Agnes and Art Minichiello, Catherine and Tim Sullivan, and Joan Steward. She is also survived by her nine children: Rosaleen (Randy) Nowicki, Kitty (Ken) Nowicki, Tony (Terry) Steward, Fred (Gill) Steward, Tom (Marilyn) Steward, Kevin (Deanna) Steward, Bernie Steward, Mary Steward, Margaret (Tony) Manley, 27 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren. Claire was predeceased by her husband, George, all of her siblings, and her grandchildren, Penny Steward and Mathew Graham. The family would like to thank the staff of the Overlander Care facility in Kamloops for being so kind and caring to Mom and her family during the twelve years Mom resided there. A Prayer Service will be held Monday, September 8th, 2014 at 7:00pm at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, 908-104th Avenue, Dawson Creek, British Columbia. A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, September 9th, 2014 at 11:00am at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Claire may be made to St. Mark's Anglican Church Soup Kitchen, 1029-103rd Avenue, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 2G6. Life Story of Claire Steward Rose Claire o'Fee was born in Tamlaght, County Antrim in Northern Ireland March 14,1925. Her father was Henry Joseph O'Fee. Her mother was Ellen Jane McErlaine. They had 7children: Sister Kathleen O'Fee Bridget Porter Mary Frances Lambert Anna Mayhew John O'Fee Liam O'Fee and the youngest, Claire O'Fee The family immigrated to Canada from Ireland in 1927 and Claire was 2 years old. Claire went to school in Clandonald Alberta. When Claire was 19 she was married to George John Steward, a sailor fighting in WWII . Her bridesmaid ,George's sister, Catherine Sullivan,is here today . After the war was over, George and Claire were living in Edmonton when Rosaleen was born. Catherine, Tony and Fred were born in Williams Lake. Tom was born in Vancouver and Kevin, Bernie, Mary and Margaret were born in Dawson Creek. When the children were all in school, Claire decided to work in the Pouce Coupe Hospital where she became good friends with Marilyn Who later married Tom. Claire and George moved to the house in Pouce Coupe and stayed there until George passed and then she moved to Kamloops. Claire worked hard raising and caring for each of her nine children. She was always smiling and seldom complained. She would tell them to offer it up for the souls in purgatory when things didn't go right for them! I first met Claire when I started dating Rosaleen over 46 years ago. On one occasion we entered the house and there was Claire laughing with a pair of underpants over her hair, pulling fresh bread out of the oven! Come on in, she laughs, the breads done! Claire was a CWL member here at Dawson Creek and in Kamloops for over 40 years. She was always concerned that people might not have enough to eat so George and her had an open invite to priests, brothers, sisters,lay apostles and anyone who might be alone on special occasions. How many of you had been at Claire's house when someone showed up unexpected and She would disappear into the cellar, down the rickety steps and moments later to emerge with canned ham and pickles to make sandwiches with her homemade buns. Both George and Claire believed in the family rosary and prayed it often with their children.I remember the first time I kneeled in the small living room saying the rosary watched by all the children to see if I knew the words! Claire was a spiritual person, a devout Catholic that never missed Mass until she became ill. She and George made sure that all the children were baptized, had First Communion and Confirmation. She sacrificed what she had to ensure they had an opportunity to share in her faith. Claire lived 89 years and was blessed in so many ways. She was blessed to have someone with her when she died. She was blessed to have received the last rites before she was called to be with Jesus. Service 11:00 am Tuesday, September 9, 2014 Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church 908 - 104th Avenue DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada V1G 3H7 Interment Riverview Cemetery Briar Ridge Road POUCE COUPE, British Columbia, Canada V0C2C0