Mary-Ellen Clare

December 11, 1946 - February 11, 2020

Funeral Details: Celebration of Life has been postponed until further notice due to Covid 19 regulations Kings Riding Golf Club (14700 Bathurst Street) King City, Ontario L7B 1K5 (Pending Current Social Distancing Regulations)

Clare (nee Blance), Mary-Ellen:
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Mary-Ellen after a brief illness. Surrounded by her loving family at Matthews House Hospice on February 11, 2020 at the age of 73 years. Beloved wife of 50 years to Gordon Clare. Loving mother of Christopher (Lee-Anne) Clare and Carolyn Clare. Amazing grandmother of Ashton and Emmy-Rayne. The favourite sister of Carol, Linda (Late Jerry), Joan (Late Garth), Kathy (Late Jerry) and Judy (Rod). Mary-Ellen will be fondly remembered by her many nieces, nephews, relatives, former colleagues and friends. Mary-Ellen loved to paint and volunteer. She was a long-time member of staff at Seneca College. Predeceased by brother Jack (Betty) and sister Helen (Late Jack). A Celebration of Life will be postponed until further notice. Memorial donations to Matthews House Hospice or Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Peaceful Transition York and condolences may be forwarded to the family through peacefultransition.ca

CONDOLENCES

28 Condolences
  • Samantha Ramsay
    Posted on: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 Reply

    To the Clare family,

    I know that what you are going through right now is very difficult, just know that I am here for you. I am truly sorry for your loss.

  • Phil Webster
    Posted on: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 Reply

    It was my pleasure to work with Mary-Ellen at Seneca College. She was one of the most caring and honest people I have ever met.
    We shared not only an enjoyable business relationship but also a post retirement friendship. Mary-Ellen loved to laugh, enjoyed a good joke, and treated everybody with respect and caring.
    A salute to a wonderful lady. She was one of the best people I have ever known in both business and personal life.

  • Rob Champoux
    Posted on: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 Reply

    My sincerest condolences to my Uncle Gord and cousins Chris and Caroline. Aunt Mary will be missed and forever in our hearts.

    Love Sent your way. Rob

  • Kevin and Joanah Clarr
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Reply

    Condolences Uncle Go, Chris and your family and Carolyn. I will always remember Aunt Mary as a happy loving woman who liked to laugh. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her. Love Kevin and Joanah Clare.

  • Linda Royle
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Reply

    I was a co-worker of Mary Ellen at Seneca College and always remembered her wonderful laugh caring personality. Sincere condolences to all the family.

  • Don and Gladys Clare
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Reply

    So sorry for your loss Gord

  • Linda Royle
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Reply

    I was a co-worker of Mary Ellen at Seneca College and shared many a laugh with her. I remember her as a very caring person always seeing the best in someone. Sincere condolences to the family.

  • Helga Victor-Bear
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Reply

    Dear Gord,
    our relationship started out as a ‘business’ one but turned into a friendship when you and Mary accompanied my boss and me to Europe many years ago. I realized then that Mary was a ‘fun person’ to be with and enjoyed every get-together we had since then, the last one just 3 months ago. Ted and I will miss her infectious laugh.
    Our thoughts are with you and your family and we wish you strength to get through this very difficult stage in your lives.
    With sincerest sympathy, Helga and Ted

  • Debb Lif
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Reply

    I will treasure my fond memories of Aunt Mary..her great smile and contagious laugh, and the painting she gave me during a difficult time. My heart felt condolences to you all.

  • Patsy
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Reply

    Mary Blance Clare, one of Port Robinsons finest. My BFF, my confidante, my travel buddy, my support force, often my strength in difficult times. Our laughter and years of sisterhood will be in my heart forever. See ya Mare 💞 Till we meet again ❤️ ee aw kee with love ❤️

  • Marrianne Kodric
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Reply

    Sending hugs . I am sitting here thinking about aunt Mary and the wonderful memories she gave us all. I feel privileged that she was in my life.

  • Nicole Facette
    Posted on: Thursday, February 20, 2020 Reply

    So sorry for your loss. Reach out for support if you need it. Your family is in my thoughts.

  • Kathy Murray
    Posted on: Thursday, February 20, 2020 Reply

    Mary was the seventh sibling out of eight. She was raised same as the rest of us, to choose your path and own it. She was a proud wife, mother and grandma. We shared the love of a BFF pat’s for 60+ years. No one in the family comes near her artistic skills, but we all shared the love of books. I loved how easily I could make Mary laugh. Mare was the first to say to count her in on any acts of kindness, even more eager to join in a family or friend weekend getaway. The words “you and I, we, us or her” I will be so proud to use talking about my sister Mary Ellen.

  • Mark & Terry Kowall
    Posted on: Thursday, February 20, 2020 Reply

    Dear Gord,
    We send our sincerest sympathies on hearing of Mary’s passing. May you and your family have many great memories to give you strength as you deal with this loss.
    Thinking of you with sadness in our hearts,
    Mark & Terry Kowall.

  • Sue Miller
    Posted on: Thursday, February 20, 2020 Reply

    Mary-Ellen was a wonderful person. I consider it a privilege to have known her, both as a fellow Senecan, and personally, and send sincere condolences to her family.

  • Kaaren Bell
    Posted on: Thursday, February 20, 2020 Reply

    I knew Mary- Ellen at The King Campus. She was a kind, funny, helpful person who made Seneca a better place to work. She never let anyone down. I send my condolences to her family.

  • Kemi
    Posted on: Thursday, February 20, 2020 Reply

    Chris, you and you entire family remain in my thoughts and prayers. I can only pray that you all find peace, strength and comfort in the memories that you have of her. May your Mother’s gentle soul continue rest in peace, amen.

  • Jennifer Peters
    Posted on: Friday, February 21, 2020 Reply

    I started working at King campus in the early 2000s and Mary-Ellen left a big impression on me. She had a big heart and loved to laugh and made me feel very welcome. She will be remembered fondly and missed greatly.

  • Rosanna Csermak
    Posted on: Friday, February 21, 2020 Reply

    To the Clare Family,

    I am very sorry for your loss, and if you need someone for support, I am here for you.

    From,

    Rosanna

  • Rosanna Csermak
    Posted on: Friday, February 21, 2020 Reply

    Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Stacey, Erik, Lianna & Willem
    Posted on: Friday, February 21, 2020 Reply

    Mary has been a part of my life since the day I came into the world.
    Aunt. Friend. Sisterhood.
    Our families have had a long history of ties from the Port Robinson Days. Ties that have lasted generations.
    Life Long friendships do not just happen easily, they are nurtured and grow into something pretty profound. We will forever be grateful to the Blance family for the laughter and memories and for the endless amount of stories that involved growing up in Port.
    Aunt Mary, you will forever be a blessing to our family, treasured Aunt, brilliant artist, and leading role in moms stories. EE AW KEE

  • Cindy Hazell
    Posted on: Friday, February 21, 2020 Reply

    I was so sorry to hear this sad news. I came to know Mary-Ellen through my work at Seneca over the years. Whenever I visited King Campus, she always greeted me with genuine warmth, caring and yes, as many others have said, that contagious laugh!! I also learned very quickly that, if there was a problem on campus, Mary-Ellen was the one who knew how to fix it! I’m sure her loss leaves a big hole in the hearts of many family and friends. Sincerest condolences.

  • Valerie Keith
    Posted on: Thursday, March 5, 2020 Reply

    I am sorry to hear of Mary Ellen’s passing. I had the pleasure of being her Chancel Guild partner at Trinity Anglican, Aurora. She was a kind and thoughtful person. May you find peace.

  • Valerie Keith
    Posted on: Thursday, March 5, 2020 Reply

    I am sorry to hear about Mary Ellen’s passing. I had the pleasure of being her Chancel Guild partner at Trinity Anglican Church, Aurora. She was a kind and thoughtful person. May you find peace.

  • Cynthia, Danielle & David
    Posted on: Saturday, March 7, 2020 Reply

    To the Clare family: Words cannot suffice to express our heartfelt sorrow that we feel for the passing of Mary Ellen. Many fond, wonderful and loving memories on Walton Drive over many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • Judi Brayman
    Posted on: Friday, March 20, 2020 Reply

    I knew Mary-Ellen for many years first working in Facilities and then as Supervisor in our Admin Office where she kept a tight ship. She gained the respect of her coworkers and she was always eager to chip into everything that had to be done it seemed. Mary-Ellen had the greatest sense of humour and sometimes there was so much laughing going on, nice little breaks in the day. When she retired from Seneca I have heard it said over again through the years that she was just the best Supervisor. She will certainly be missed.

    My condolences to Gord, her children, her family and her friends.

  • Heather Cooper
    Posted on: Saturday, March 21, 2020 Reply

    I had not seen Mary for many years though we’d planned to meet for coffee with mutual friends just a couple of years ago but unfortunately, the plans fell through due to illness. I was very sorry to read of her passing. I knew Mary when she was a member of the Aurora Babysitting Coop, back when Christopher and Carolyn were young. Fun times on Batson Drive with her ready laugh and easy going manner. Sending my best to the family at this sad time.

  • Elissa Williams
    Posted on: Thursday, July 23, 2020 Reply

    Such sad news. Mary Ellen was my ‘pal’ in Continuing Education at King Campus. Mischief and humour underlay our interactions. Mary Ellen also took me into her family, so Gord and Chris my condolences. I would be there on the 16 August however travel restrictions do not make that possible. However, I will think of you all on the day.

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