Obituary
Clara Rose O’Byrne (Ruschkowski) went to join her beloved family and friends in the company of our Lord on a serene Sunday morning, August 22, 2021 at age of 96. Born on the family farm near Shaunavon, SK on July 8, 1925, Clara grew up in a robust community anchored in faith, family and producing food for the nation. After graduation, she completed business courses and went to work for the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA). Married in 1953 to Urban Leonard O’Byrne, a career Royal Canadian Air Force service member, Clara immediately took to the roving life of an airman’s wife; she wrote vigorously and colorfully about subsequent postings to Ontario, Germany, Moose Jaw, Nova Scotia and finally Calgary.
Three children blessed the union; Martin John in 1956; Judy Grace in 1958, and Timothy Patrick in 1960. Clara’s “home base” was always the family farm, and she, Urban and the kids enjoyed many vacations, special occasions, and harvest events over the years. No matter where Clara “hung her hat”, she was eager and successful to find a job somewhere, be it the Moose Jaw Times Herald, a rental office in Dartmouth, or her career highlight at Calgary’s Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, where she retired in the late ’70s, over 25 years’ service later.
As her son, Marty, mused upon her passing, “If we’re going to notify next of kin, we need to get a message to The Shopping Channel”. Couple that with polyester pant suits, Cameo cigarettes, George Foreman Grills, Tupperware, Harlequin romance novels, Bingo and late nights chatting on the phone with her many friends and family…that was Clara. Early mornings were not. She was a talented seamstress, writer, and aficionado of the traveler’s life. She was a very good mother, wife and friend to all who knew her, and her passing will likely be well-received on the Other Side.
She is survived by son Martin John O’Byrne, his wife MaryAnne of Peace River, AB, and their three grown children, son Ryan (Carla); daughter Katie O’Byrne (Pat Evans) along with great-grandchildren Logan, Nolan and Finley; son Brendan; daughter Judy Cole, her husband Bruce of Strathmore, AB; youngest son Tim O’Byrne, his wife Christine and their son, Mark, of Henderson, NV. Clara was predeceased by her husband Urban Leonard in 1975.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at 11:00am with viewing beginning at 10:00 am at the church. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Live-streaming* of the mass will be available through the link below. A casual luncheon will follow directly after the Graveside Service at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. The family would like to thank AgeCare Sagewood in Strathmore, Alberta, especially Dawson Lake for taking such good care of Clara, with a very special mention to Sandra Desgagné, her friend and nurse for 7 years. It wasn’t always easy, but it was interesting.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clara Rose (Ruschkowski) O’Byrne, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Clara Rose Ruschkowski O’Byrne July 8 1925 August 22 2021 (age 96)..
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta