Claire Louise McLaughlin

CLAIRE LOUISE McLAUGHLIN (née JEWETT) Claire passed away peacefully at home the night of December 14th, 2008 with her daughters at her bedside and husband nearby, after a long illness with cancer. Claire was born in Montreal on October 9, 1927. She will be lovingly missed by her husband Robert (Robin), daughters Emily and Mundy McLaughlin, son Roger, grandson Jasper Allderdice, brothers George (and wife Lois) Jewett and Ken (and wife Edie) Jewett, and former son-in-law Jacob Allderdice. Claire was a creative, forceful, generous spirit who thrived when contributing her energy and talents to a number of causes. After graduating from Havergal College and University of Toronto Claire married Robin and had three children. Living in Don Mills Claire saw the need for good child care and helped to start up a nursery school for the local children. Claire then assisted a friend in writing and conducting walking tours of old Toronto. A strong believer in the value of historic buildings she participated in the fight to save old City Hall from demolition. Inspired by Trudeau, Claire became very active in politics and rose to become the President of the Don Valley Liberal Riding Association. Upon resigning from politics and moving downtown she helped to keep Toronto a liveable city by working as an activist to stop the construction of the Spadina Expressway through a ravine in residential Toronto - now a haven for walkers and cyclists. After her son became ill Claire turned her energies towards providing support for the families of schizophrenics becoming a co-founder of the Toronto Chapter of Friends of Schizophrenics. As head of the Chapter Claire enjoyed working daily with the many volunteers, and was tireless in providing practical help to families and schizophrenics coping with a very difficult illness. Claire saw the need for compassionate, comfortable housing for schizophrenics, and founded Pilot Place Society, a unique homelike residence for twenty residents including her son. After years of planning, writing reports, lobbying the Government, and forming a Board of Directors, Pilot Place was constructed and officially came into being in 1995. Claire loved people, animals and birds. She especially enjoyed spending weekends and summers with Robin at the family farm and cottage. She had a keen and observant intelligence and will be lovingly missed by all who knew her. A memorial visitation will be held at the MORLEY BEDFORD FUNERAL HOME, 159 Eglinton Ave. W. (2 stop lights west of Yonge St.) on Sunday, December 21 from 2-5 p.m. Donations in Claire's memory can be made to Pilot Place Society, 70 Lombard Street, Toronto, ON.