ForeverMissed
Large image
Her Life
May 9, 2012

Viola May Clarke, Vi, (Knight) of Aylmer Ontario passed away Monday, May 7 2012 in the Sakura House Hospice of Woodstock ON, in her 99th year, after a brief battle with cancer.

Vi was born in Millerton New Brunswick on December 1 1913.  Her parents, George and Isabella farmed on the Miramichi, where she, her sister Lenore, and brother Bill were born. 

At 16 she had graduated high school and moved to Newcastle where she took a stenographer's course and then a job in Pridham’s Photography Studio.  She boarded with the Pridham family a tie she kept all her life.

She met William Bennett McKay Clarke, a University of New Brunswick student and they were married in 1936 in Fredericton, a marriage that was to last 71 years.  “Love is the tie that binds”

While Bill was overseas in World War 11, Vi and Boots, her Boston Bull Terrier and beloved companion, lived in a small flat.  Vi continued her work in the Pridham Studio until Bill returned for good in 1945.

A year later, 1946, daughter Marianna Lynn was born and life was moving ahead for the Clarke family.  They moved to Ontario as Bill had a job with the Department of Lands and Forest.  A second daughter, Susan Isabel was born inToronto in 1950 and the family was complete. 

From Leaside inToronto, the family moved to Brampton but were soon uprooted as the Department sent Bill to North Bay and then finally to Aylmer, where Vi and Bill have lived for the last 46 years.

Vi has dedicated her life to her family and community.  She was an active member of the Trinity Anglican Church in Aylmer and assisted through volunteering, such organizations as the VON with Meals on Wheels.

Vi is survived by her children: Lynn Johnston of Aylmer and Susan Hermann (Fred) of Straffordville, also grandchildren Brendan Finnigan (Angela) of Edmonton, Shelagh Finnigan (Chris) of Paris, Tobi Siew (Rishi) of London, Keith Hermann (Heather) of St Thomas and Stephen Hermann of Straffordville, and great grandchildren Xavier,Corina, Chase, Corbin, Isabel, Konnor, Devi, Zander, and dear neices Phyllis Mossman and Doreen Gray, who live in New Brunswick, and their extended families.

Her beloved husband Bill predeceased her in 2009 at age 98.  She is also predeceased by her sister Lenore Langan and brother Bill Knight.

Cremation has taken place and Vi will be buried in the Aylmer Cemetery at a private family gathering celebrating her life.

Donations to the VON Sakura House Hospice 715180 Oxford County Rd.4 Woodstock ON N4S 7V9, Aylmer Museum and Archives 14 East Street, Aylmer ON N5H 1W2 or Trinity Anglican Church 170 John Street N, Aylmer ON N5H 2A9, would be appreciated. 

"A life well-lived"

Condolences, pictures and comments can be directed to the website:

 viola-may-clarke.forevermissed.com