Obituary of Clara Elena Phillips
Clara Elena Phillips (nee Walsh)
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother Clara. She passed peacefully at the age of 95 on January 20, 2025 at St. Catharines Hospital surrounded by the love of her family.
Clara was born in 1929 in Port Weller, Ontario to parents Frank and Elena Walsh and grew up on the family farm the third child and eldest daughter of thirteen children. She helped care for and raise her younger siblings and continued her nurturing nature as a grade one teacher for eleven years at Maplewood and then Port Weller schools. Her caring ways continued throughout her entire life always putting the needs of others before her own.
In 1958 she was set up on a blind date and met the love of her life Jimmy Phillips. Together they raised a family of five children in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Her days were filled with running a busy household and caring for her family. In her later years she enjoyed travelling to Florida with Jimmy, reading, watching her game shows and the Young & the Restless with the cat Noel by her side. Her daily Wordle challenge was a highlight.
She has been reunited in heaven with her soulmate of 65 years Jimmy. She will be sadly missed and never forgotten by her beloved children Carol Hunter (Sam), Tim Phillips, Dr. Janice Phillips (Joe Delaney), Joanne Van Nest (Matthew), Kevin Phillips (Ola) and her grandchildren Danielle (James), Kelly, Rachel (Jake), Kate (Eric), Lucas (Kristin), Amy, Alex and James. Clara will also be missed by her siblings Dr. Fred Walsh, Anne Primeau, Leo Walsh and Sheila Voisin and sister-in-laws Sharon Walsh and Kathy Walsh as well as her many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brothers Jim, Bill and John and sisters Mary, Helen, Teresa, Margaret and Flora as well as many in-laws.
Our family would like to thank the home support workers as well as the nursing staff at the hospital for their care of Mom. A special thank you to Alana Harrod for her care and kindness to Clara over the last three years and to her niece Shelley Walsh for all her love and support.
Clara was a strong woman with a quiet, gentle nature. She had a kind heart, unwavering faith, love, wisdom, advice, humour and so many stories to tell. She was a good listener, a hard worker and was relied upon by many throughout the years. Despite her health challenges, she never complained. Most importantly, she was the center of our family and family was everything to her. She will be forever in our hearts.
Family and friends are invited to join Clara’s family at George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Tuesday, January 28, from 2 – 4 p.m. and 7- 9 p.m. A mass will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 73 Picton St. Niagara-on-the-Lake on January 29, 2025 at 11:00 a.m, followed by a reception at 12:00 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church Hall, NOTL to celebrate her beautiful life. Donations in Clara’s honour can be made to the MS Canada or Hospice Niagara.