Obituary of Clara Cartier

It is with great love and sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother Clara Marie Cartier on July 24th at the age of 91 at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance. 

Clara was born in Grande Pointe April 4, 1931 to the late Amanda ( Pinsonneault) and Norman Benoit. Wife of the late Jacob Cartier. Cherished mother to Jacques Cartier (Ha), Jean Cartier (Karen), Carmel Marentette (Clyde) and Jeanne d’Arc Bradley (Dean). Loving grand-mother to Nicole (Cameron), Christopher (Sylvie), Louise (Randy), David (Claire), Sarah, Jim (Marissa), Amanda, and Sam (Lanki). Special great-grand-mother to Carson, Emmett, Paisley, Lucas, Asher, Logan, Carter and Amelia.

She is survived by her two sisters Anna Benoit (Donald) and Angeline Rivard (Wilfrid) and sister-in-law Helene Cartier (Raymond).  Predeceased by sister Marie Jeanne Bechard (Aurele), and brothers Lionel Benoit (Jeannette), and Joseph Benoit (Gloria) as well as numerous sister and brother-in-laws. Cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Our mother was a woman of strong faith and work ethic. She worked many years for the Caron Grain business and later for the Hazzard’s Grain Business. Local farmers could always rely on her for all of their grain and fertilizer needs. The Church was also a very important part of our mother’s life. She was the church organist for more than twenty five years at St. Philippe’s Church in Grande Pointe. She was always an active member of the parish, helping with a variety of church events. In her later years after the closing of St. Philippe’s Church,  she joined St. Agnes Church where she helped as a Eucharist minister.

Clara had many interests in her retirement years. She loved needlepoint, reading, puzzle making, bowling, playing cards, traveling with family and friends. Up until the pandemic, she could always be found at the Active Lifestyle Centre every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons playing Pepper and Rummoli.

Above all, our mother was most devoted to her family. She loved playing cards with her sisters and she loved nothing more than family gatherings at Christmas, Easter and birthday celebrations. Our mother always took great pride in making and decorating special birthday cakes for her grand-children.

Our family wishes to thank all of the staff workers at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance for all of their compassionate care while she was in hospital.

A private visitation for relatives will take place at Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. Chatham on Monday.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday August 2 at 10 AM at St. Agnes in Chatham. Friends and relatives are welcome to attend mass.

Burial will be in St. Philippe's Cemetery, Grande Pointe, ON.

Donations to the Charity of One’s Choice would be appreciated.