Claire Irene Harford

Claire Irene Harford, born November 12, 1931 in Montreal, Quebec to Paul Warren and Alice Gardner. Passed away on January 24, 2021 at Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario at the age of 89. Claire worked as a bank teller for CIBC in Montreal before marrying James Harford and having two children, Richard and Susan. She then worked in the book boutique in the Eaton’s department store where she fell in love with reading. Later, Claire and James moved to the quiet village of Constance Bay on the outskirts of Ottawa to live with Susan and Susan’s two children, Amanda and Brendan. The Ottawa family made many trips to Lords Valley, Pennsylvania to visit Richard’s family and to Fredericton, New Brunswick to visit Amanda’s family.

Claire loved to paint, bake and listen to music (especially Leonard Cohen). In her later years she took up walking and was diligent in training every year for the Ottawa Race Weekend 10K and Terry Fox Run. She went to exercise classes, book clubs, operas, the ballet and lunch outings with her many friends. She was also a member of the St. Gabriel’s Parish choir. After moving to Carp Commons Retirement Village, Claire continued engaging in her favourite pastimes while making many new friends. She loved looking out over the Carp Valley from her favourite chair, watching the sunset while talking to her daughter on the phone.

Claire is survived by her daughter Susan, Susan’s partner Rob, her daughter-in-law Schellie, her grand daughter Amanda and her husband Ryan, her grandson Brendan and his partner Anita, her grandchild Chris, and her great-grandchildren Charlie and Clara who knew her as GG.