Clare Ashdown Young

1915 – 2013

Passed away in her sleep on February 16, in Victoria, BC. Clare was born in Duncan, BC on August 6, 1915, to Gladys (née Dumbleton) and Ashdown Green. On the sudden death of her father in 1921, she moved with her mother and brother to Victoria, where she attended Beacon Hill School, South Park School and Victoria High. She studied at Victoria College, then situated at Craigdarroch Castle, and finished a degree in French at UBC, where she also completed her teacher training. Following her marriage to William Ronald Young in 1939, she worked during the war years in Montreal while her husband was stationed overseas in North Africa, Italy and Holland. Clare loved to play tennis, winning several championships at the Oak Bay Tennis Club and the South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club. She always carried herself with a certain elegance and had a keen eye for fashion. Clare loved to play the piano, to bake for the family, to gather with friends for a game of bridge and to visit the family cabin at Pike Lake. In her later years she developed a passion for writing, particularly poetry but also short stories, and spent many fine hours with the Scriveners Writing Group. When she was 94, she had her first book of poetry published, titled “Mountain Man.” Clare is survived by her brother John (“Jack”) W. A. Green of Victoria; her brother-in-law Dennis Young of Victoria; her son Terence Young and family of Victoria: Patricia, Clea (Cole and Jude), and Liam; and her daughter Joan Riecken and family of Victoria: Kaye, Lara (Matt and Nadia), Sarah (Juergen and Sylvia), and Jennifer. She also leaves many nieces and nephews, from Halifax and Quebec to Washington and BC. Clare’s family meant everything to her. She was predeceased by her beloved Ronnie in 1983, and great friends Gwladys Downes and Audrey McCaw. We would like to thank the staff of both Rose Manor and Mount St. Mary Hospital and Dr. Caspar Friesen for their loving care of our mother in the last years of her life.

A memorial service will be held at St. Matthias Church at the corner of Richardson and Richmond on Friday, March 1, 2013 at 4 pm. Clare’s remains will be interred at Ross Bay Cemetery alongside those of her husband. Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Bros. Funeral Home

www.mccallbros.com