Clare Irene O’Halloran
1928-2020
Clare died peacefully at St. Martha’s Hospital,
Antigonish on December 12, 2020 at the age of 92. Born in
Truro, the youngest of five siblings to Olive Hannah (Anstey) and
Michael Thompkins O’Halloran. Clare is survived by
9 nieces and 3 nephews and several great nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Bill, Earl
and Paul and sister Marion, the love of her life Gerald MacDonald and
her niece Michelle O’Halloran. Clare would want it
noted here that she and Marion were lifelong soulmates. Sisters born
on the same day five years apart, those two were partners in crime,
sister friends, gal pals and always in each other’s corner.
They are happily reunited now, probably trying on
shoes.
After graduating from Mount St. Bernard, she continued her
education at St. Francis Xavier University graduating with a BSc, Home
Economics and furthered her education by attending St.
Martha’s School of Nursing where she became an RN.
She worked at the Halifax Infirmary and Massachusetts General before
returning to Antigonish to continue her career at St.
Martha’s. During her many years at St.
Martha’s, she worked in the Recovery Room, on 3rd East, as
an instructor at the St. Martha’s School of Nursing and
finally returning to 3rd East as Supervisor. Clare’s pride
in her work and her attention to detail ensured that patients under
her care felt special. She was a kind and
compassionate nursing professional who dedicated her life to
caring for others.
Away from work, it was well known that Clare was an avid
shopper; she loved to spend her Friday
night “poking” in the shops along Main Street, each
week arriving home with something to show Mum and Marion. A
trip to Boston wasn’t complete without a browse through
Jordon Marsh’s, Filene’s Basement or IJ
Fox’s “just to pick up something I
can’t get at home”. Others benefited from
this activity too, she was a thoughtful and generous gift-giver,
taking much care to find the best things. Back in the day Clare
enjoyed skating, donning her racers to spend an hour or two on the ice
at the Memorial Rink, a community rink or an outdoor
pond. Summers often found her at the cottage or the beach,
with a crew of nieces and nephews along, favourite snacks always in
abundance. In more recent years Clare had great enjoyment watching
Sidney Crosby and was disappointed if Saturday night’s
featured game wasn’t the Pens. She took pride in her
home and even in her 90’s was outside making sure
the flower beds and shrubs looked their best. Clare has left us at the
time of year she loved so much – Christmas – shopping for that perfect
gift, the gift wrapping and oh those bows, nothing like
them. She did not rest until every light and every ornament
was perfectly placed.
Clare, enjoy your last shoot down the Main, Marion will be
waiting at the other end.
The family would like to acknowledge the dedicated
care from Bernadette MacDonald, Janice and Rick MacDonald for
phone calls and visits, Florence MacDonald, Marion Oickle and
John Pellerine for their support and friendship. Clare’s
niece and nephew, Cabrini and Michael as well as Michael’s
wife Sheila have stood by Clare’s side in her waning years.
She was so grateful for their support and said many times she would
have been lost without them. Thank you to the neighbours and friends
who asked after Clare. We ask that all COVID 19 protocols are observed
including masks and physical distancing while in the funeral home and
the church. Visitation will be in C.L. Curry Funeral Home,
135 College Street on Sunday, December 20, 2020 from 2 to 5
pm. Funeral Mass will be in St. Ninian Cathedral on Monday
at 11:00 am with Reverend Donald MacGillivray presiding.
Burial in the parish cemetery.
In Memoriam, donations to the Antigonish Food Bank or St.
Martha’s Ladies’ Auxiliary appreciated. Online
condolences: www.clcurry.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Clare Irene O’Halloran 19282020..
Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia