Clara Ruth Constance "Connie" CLARKE

CLARKE, Clara Ruth Constance "Connie" - Beaver Bank/Upper Rawdon, N.S. Clarke, Connie 91, Ivy Meadows, Beaverbank, N.S., passed away December 23, 2010 in the QEII Health/Sciences Centre, Infirmary Site, from complications following a broken hip. Born on April 25, 1919 in Winnipeg, Man., she was a daughter of the late Charles Haydn and Margaret (Martin) Williams, and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. While living in Vancouver, Connie served as a Red Cross volunteer during World War II, and later worked as a bookkeeper at the firm of Green & Weston. In 1975 she became a come-from-away, settling in Upper Rawdon. She continued to work part time from the farm home which she shared with her long-time friend Dorothy Kim Keeble. They had goats, raised a pig every year, kept bees and assorted fowl, and always had a large vegetable garden in order to be as self sufficient as possible. Connie was a member of the Rawdon Golden Youth Group for many years and a willing supporter of that organization, as well as the Rawdon Hills Health Centre, and the Rawdon District Fire Department. Among many other things, Connie will be remembered for her superb baking. She will be missed sincerely by all who knew her. Surviving are her grandson, Mats Anders (Madeleine) Ryden; great-granddaughters, Caroline and Emelie Ryden, all of Upsala, Sweden; nieces, Marilyn Baskerville, Donna Cranston; nephew, Dennis Haigh, all of B.C. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, William John Clarke; daughter, Margaret Anne Midge Clarke; sisters, Doris Doe Agnew Powell; Gwendolyn Gwen Furney; and Catherine Kay Haigh. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in Rawdon Hills United Church, Upper Rawdon. A reception will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the QEII Health Foundation Palliative Care Unit, or a charity of choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.