Obituary
It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Claire McVicar, age 90, formerly of Penticton and born in Toronto who passed away on Monday, September 28, 2020 at the Kelowna General Hospital with her children at her side.
Claire was the daughter of the late Robert Deyell and Julia Phelan and sister to Ethel Tait (nee Deyell) and Kathleen Crump (nee Deyell). The Deyell family, from Ireland, settled in Cavan Township outside of Peterborough, Ontario in 1812. Claire grew up in Toronto and as a young woman worked at Bell Canada and later enjoyed a 20 year career at the Ontario Science Centre.
Claire is survived by her three children Wendy McVicar, Victoria, B.C., Sharon Maslen (nee McVicar), Kelowna, B.C., Michael McVicar and his dear wife, Sandra McVicar (nee Blagdon), West Kelowna, B.C. and her one granddaughter, Melissa Ballantyne (nee McVicar) and husband, Kevin Ballantyne, her one great-grandson, Lukas Ballantyne, Summerland, B.C. Claire was predeceased by her husband Jim (James) McVicar 22 years ago. We will always celebrate October 8th, the day of Claire’s birth but also the day when she gave birth to twins, Sharon and Michael. To share a birthday with your lovely mother is a true blessing.
Claire was a dedicated and loving Mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them throughout her life. She especially loved her role as Nana and “more Nana”. She had a warm personality and made friends everywhere she went. People immediately felt her gentleness and kindness. She was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important – the simplicity of living a life with those you love, the power of positive thinking and the belief that people are good. She enjoyed nature and was delighted to go for a country drive, to be near animals and to spend time at the lake. In life, she cherished her dogs, Duke, Bentley and Kelly and her friends always joked “when we come back, we’d like to come back as one of Claire’s dogs!”.
She had a life-long love of coffee, bacon, eggs, butter and cheese! She always enjoyed a good burger and an ice-cold Kokanee beer. Her family will certainly raise a glass and enjoy a burger in her honour! She will be deeply missed and forever cherished in our hearts.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Claire’s family physician Dr. Larry Bobyn, Kelowna, B.C. and to his assistant Lisa for providing genuine and loving care. Also, thank you to the staff at Cottonwoods including a special thank you to Olivia at Cottonwoods who extended much joy and kind care. And finally, thank you to Dr. Price for his compassionate care and guidance during Claire’s final days at Kelowna General Hospital.
A family service will be held in Penticton and Claire will be buried next to her husband Jim in the Penticton, B.C. cemetery on the Naramata Bench. Memorial donations may be made to: Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Claire Deyell McVicar October 8 1929 September 28 2020 (age 90)..
Death notice for the town of: West Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique