Vera Mae Clayton

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Cawthra Gardens Long Term Care on Friday November 26, 2021, at the age of 88. Predeceased by her husband, Richard ("Red"/ "Pa") in 2013. Loving mother to Sandra (David) Galea, Stephen (Lucy) Clayton, Janet (Al) Scornaienchi, and Beth (David) Hawkins. Cherished grandmother to Grey (Lara), Courtney (Matt), Annalise, Cassandra, Tess, Geoffrey, Sydney (Nate) and Clayton. Survived by sister-in-law Margaret Clayton of Dunnville. Predeceased by parents Roy and Elfrida (nee Bourne) and sisters Nila, Gwen, and Barbara. Vera will also be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, her lifelong friends known as The Beach Strip Gang and her dog Penny. Vera was the last of four unique sisters. First was Nila, artsy yet brainy. Gwen, elegant and worldly. Barb, spirited and unpretentious. Then Vera Mae, kind-hearted and sweet as pie. Imagine four active girls growing up in the 40s and 50s on the Hamilton Beach Strip. If there had been a fifth sister, it would have been Annette Funicello. In 1946, at the age of 13, Vera met Richard (Red) Clayton. He charmed her with lines like, "Hey honey, did the bees make you? 'Cause you sure are sweet." He worked the ferris wheel at the nearby amusement park while she sold tickets at the booth. Vera would tell stories of how Red would use her bike to give her a ride home after work. One day as they rode along, her skirt got tangled up in the wheel. Imagine arriving home with her dress torn: "Hey Mum and Dad, I'd like you to meet Richard." Red would often miss his own bus ride home and sleep on the Stephensons' front porch at 499 Beach Blvd. Vera and Red married in 1955 at St. Andrews by the Lake Anglican Church. They first lived at one of two of the Stephenson properties, known as 505 Beach Blvd., and later moved to the home at 499. Vera and Red shared many good times with their large circle of wonderful friends and family, and those friendships have endured to this day. Soon after, kids entered the fold. Four in total. A busy happy home. In 1972, Vera and Red moved the family to Burlington. Vera was a loving mother, who gave her children freedom and independence, but was always there when needed. She was the ultimate homemaker, tending to her home and garden, canning fruits, and vegetables, and baking the best pies and chocolate chip cookies. As the 60s and 70s turned into the 80s and 90s, the children all married as well. A typical day for Vera was taking care of the house while listening to Sinatra in the morning, soap operas in the afternoon, and the Blue Jays in the evening. Always wanting to contribute, Vera would bake banana bread, pies, cookies, and squares for her eight eager grandchildren and close friends to enjoy - be it Christmas, weekends in Muskoka, family dinners, or just because. Vera and Red were incredible parents, grandparents, in-laws, and friends. They lived a full life, especially enjoying time spent at the cottage in Muskoka and Florida. After Red passed in 2013, Vera lived on in the family home. In recent years Nan (as many came to call her) would say, "the old gray mare ain't what she used to be." In her youth, Vera was athletic and a good baseball player. Even while age was taking its toll, her pleasant disposition and kindness never faded. She took her last breath surrounded by love and then went up to heaven - because apparently there's a really cute guy who runs a ferris wheel up there in Heaven. Special thanks to staff at Cawthra Gardens for their excellent care and compassion in the six weeks Vera resided there. A private Celebration of Vera's life will be held at the Burlington Golf and Country Club.
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