Mary Claire Stirrett

Mrs. Mary Claire Stirrett (nee Lindeman) passed away peacefully at the age of 87, surrounded by her children, at Clair Hills Retirement Community in Waterloo ON on February 24, 2017.

She was born in Port Arthur on October 18, 1929 to loving parents Clifford Lindeman and Violet Sagadore, and was the youngest of two brothers, Bob and Bud, and her sister, Arleen. In her childhood the family suffered the great losses of Cliff Junior at age 3, newborn infant Donald and, most devastatingly, her mother Violet. Mary Claire was six years old when her mother passed, and she carried the deep loss with her throughout her life.

On July 29, 1953 after a long courtship which included Teacher’s College in Toronto for her and a trip with the Royal Navy to the Panama Canal for him, Mary Claire married the love of her life, Roy Stirrett. Together they raised three children while Roy worked for CN Rail and MC established herself as a very memorable teacher. She taught for the Catholic School Board for 27 years, mostly in kindergarten, and was a member of STO Superannuated Teachers of Ontario after retiring in 1987.

Mary Claire took great pride in her sense of volunteerism and commitment to the Catholic faith; she intended for the Catholic Church to be her legacy to her family. She and Roy were long time members of Corpus Christi Church and she was a past President of the Corpus Christi Catholic Women’s League. She also coordinated the Children’s Liturgy for many years and served on the Funeral Committee after her retirement. In her younger years she was very active in the Girl Guide movement in both Brownies and Guides, and in later years was a member of St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary. MC really enjoyed the friendships made in all these organizations, as well as her Bridge Club, Knitting Club, Canasta Club, Aquatics group at St. Joseph’s Heritage, and Monday afternoon prayer group.

Also very special to her were the many years of summers spent down at Ishkibibble Beach in the camp that Roy built. She cherished how lucky she was to be only two doors away from her lifelong best friend Ruthie Kylander, and a short walk down the beach from the camp her own father built in her childhood. The many beach neighbours became an extended family over the years of sunny days in the lake, bonfires with sing-alongs and popcorn, and decades of organizing the Ishkibibble Beach Party, still an annual tradition since the 1970s.

Mary Claire is predeceased by her husband Roy; her father Cliff and mother Violet and stepmother Irene; her brother James (Bud) Lindeman and sister-in-law Frances; her sister Arleen Furgala and brother-in-law Michael.

She is survived by her brother Robert Lindeman and sister-in-law Miranda. Her children: Larry of Penticton, BC; Marlene (Alan) of Toronto; and Allan (Sherrie) of Waterloo. And her grandchildren: Ashley Stirrett and her son Tyson of Stony Plain AB, Vanessa Stirrett of Calgary AB and Samantha Stirrett of Banff AB; Kayla and Daniel Matson of Toronto; Cory Barr of Thunder Bay; Kieran and Liam Stirrett of Waterloo. Also her nephew Doug (Carly) Lindeman, and their children Clifford and Joanna, who all helped her immeasurably in Thunder Bay with all of the children and grandchildren spread out across Canada.

She will be remembered fondly: as a matriarch; as a thoughtful letter-writer who singlehandedly kept Carlton Cards in business; for her devotion to the Church; for her love of sing-along music on long car rides East and West to visit her children and grandchildren; for always having Trident gum in her purse; and for the joy she took in hosting family gatherings. 

Cremation has taken place. Visitation for Mary Claire Stirrett will be held on Friday, March 10, 2017 between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. with Prayers beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Sargent and Son Funeral Chapel in Thunder Bay. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 11th, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 664 Red River Rd, celebrated by Rev. Victor De Gagne. Luncheon to follow. If friends so desire, memorial donations can be made to Parkinson Canada, Canadian Diabetes Association or the charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.