Obituary of Bernice Margaret Cleator

Bernice Margaret Cleator September 11, 1921, January 03, 2016 As we mark the beginning of a new year, we also mourn the passing of our beloved Mom and Grandma, Bernice Margaret Cleator, on January 03, 2016, in her 95th year. The much-loved only child of John and Mary Ellen Brown (nee Curtis), Mom was born and raised in North Bay. She was the cherished wife of the Reverend Canon Kenneth Irving Cleator, who left us suddenly in 2002. She took great pride in being the mother of her three boysies – Ian (Helen) of Amityville, New York, John (Nan) of Bracebridge, and George (Michel) of North Bay - as well as special Mom to Sharron Lahaye of Alliston, and Molly Cleator of North Bay. Mom was also the cherished Grandma of Scott (Lauren), Craig (Lindsey), Cameron (Shelby), Colin and Carson. A graduate of Western University in London, Mom was an elementary teacher who touched the lives of many children both at home and abroad. As the wife of a celebrated Anglican clergyman, Mom also made a huge impact on the people at all of the parishes Dad served including parishes in St. Catharines, where they met and married, Novato, California, Toronto, Montreal, and back home in North Bay. Mom shared a spirit of adventure with Dad and, together, they travelled the world as tour leaders with the Toronto-based Craig Travel. Mom was also a writer and the sights she saw and the people she met around the globe informed her writing. She was a member of the North Bay Writers’ Club, and the North Bay Children’s Writers’ Club. Mom was a voracious reader and she shared her love of reading with others through her association with Literacy Nipissing-Laubach Literacy Ontario. Our family will receive friends on Thursday, January 07, between 12 noon and 2 p.m., at her beloved church, the Church of St. John the Divine, 301 Main Street East, North Bay. A celebration of Mom’s life will be held at 2 p.m., followed by a reception in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church’s memorial fund in honour of Mom, or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences can be made at www.martynfh.com