Following a short and intense battle with cancer, our beloved Claire passed peacefully on January 26, 2019 at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Claire and her family moved to Victoria in 1981. She attended Fairburn Elementary School, Cedar Hill School and Mt. Douglas High School. After high school, she spent a year at West Heath School in Kent, England allowing her to enjoy time with her extended family. In 1998 she graduated with her BA (Hons) History from Carleton University, and in 2001 completed her Masters of Library and Information Studies at McGill University.
Claire very much enjoyed her career as an Archivist and Librarian at the BC Archives and took great pride in her work and her public service.
Left to cherish her memories are her children (Sophia and Liam), her mom and dad (Jillian and David), brother and sister-in-law (Graham and Kerry), nephew (Daniel), her large extended family in Europe, Australia and Canada, as well as many friends and work colleagues.
A Celebration of Claire’s Life will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, at 10:00 am in the Harbour Room at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Hotel, 100 Harbour Road, Victoria, BC.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation, in Claire’s memory, to the BC Cancer Foundation.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
16 Responses
Claire was such a spark at the Royal BC Museum and Archives. I didn’t work closely with her, but Claire’s witty MC’ing of our monthly staff meetings always made me laugh. And it was Claire’s sheer force of spirit and passion for giving back to our community that made me personally dig deeper and give more. She was incredibly persuasive and convincing that we should all contribute more to the charities around us. So we did. I will continue to honour her that way. I am so sorry that you have lost her so soon.
Dear Jill and David – I just saw this and am so grieved and sorry for your loss of Claire. May you know strength, comfort and peace as you celebrate Claire’s life and grieve her loss with Sophia and Liam. xo
Dear David and Jillian,
Claire and I grew up together attending Fairburn Elementary, Cedar Hill Middle School and Mount Douglas Sr Secondary. We also attended St. Mary’s church together where were alter-assistants and attended youth group, where we sang, laughed and prayed together. Claire was integral in introducing to me to some wonderful people in my life. I am very thankful to have known Claire and was able to spend those times together. My heart goes out to Sophia and Liam, and you and your family as well.
Dear Sophia,Liam and Family,
On behalf of the Cedar Hill Middle School community I offer our deepest sympathies. Our thoughts and hearts are with you all.
To the Gilbert family:
I remember Claire in Grade One at Fairburn Elementary School as a bright, eager to learn, happy child whose contribution to the Class progress was commendable. It was clear that she would pursue a challenging career in her chosen field even then, and she was a pleasure to teach.
I was shocked and greatly saddened to read her obituary but pleased that she did, indeed, enjoy her career as an Archivist and Librarian while she was able.
My sincere condolences go to her family and those who knew her well as an adult.
We are greatly saddened by your loss. You are in our hearts and minds. Isabelle, Christian and Charles