Claris NICHOLSON

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NICHOLSON: Claris Nicholson (nee: Gray), March 29, 1927-June 6, 2017. It is with sadness that the family announce the passing of Claris Nicholson of Shoal Lake. Claris passed away on June 6, 2017 at the Shoal Lake-Strathclair Health Centre at the age of 90. Claris was the only child of Elma (nee: Black) and Austin Gray of Harding, MB. She was born and grew up on the family farm near Harding. She attended school at Education Point, Harding and Oak Lake. She then attended University of Manitoba in pre-medical studies. Following a bad hailstorm in 1944 that wiped out the family’s crop, Claris changed her career plans and went teaching on a permit at Landsdowne. The following year she attended Normal School for her teacher training. Claris taught for 7 years at Landsdowne, Roseland, Harding, Oak Lake and Raven Lake. Claris married Art Nicholson on November 20, 1954 and moved to the farm west of Shoal Lake where she and Art lived until his passing in 1999 and she lived until 2016. Claris and Art raised two children Bill and Sandy and were happy to have their eight grandchildren grow up within a stones throw of their house. Claris was a dedicated community volunteer and held many positions in the organizations she was involved with. They include: Legion Auxiliary, Ag Society, Figure Skating Club, Softball Coach, Steering Committee for the rink, Sunday School Teacher and more. Claris was actively involved in the New Democratic Party for much of her life. She and Art were awarded the NDP’s Pioneer Award in 1994 for their contributions. Claris was appointed to the province’s Education Advisory Committee and to the Board of Governors of Brandon University. Claris enjoyed sports as a participant and a spectator, especially softball, curling and hockey. She was an animal lover and was always training a pony or a dog. Claris was actively involved in the family farm and spent many years driving the grain truck and selling eggs. She also spent many hours during the summer in her large garden. In her later years she kept up with the farm happenings over the two-way radio. When Claris became a grandmother she spent many hours taking care of grandkids and attending their sporting events, concerts and performances. In the winter you could always find her in “her spot” behind the goalie in the rink. Claris was patient and an excellent listener. As she got older and it was harder for her to get out she spent many hours (a day) on the phone with friends and family. Claris had said, “I think far and away my happiest memories and greatest achievements have been as a parent, grandparent and great grandparent.” And we all knew that, she never missed an opportunity to tell us or anyone who would listen how proud of us she was. Claris is deeply missed by her son Bill Nicholson (Barb), daughter Sandy Yanick (Don), grandchildren; Krissy Teall (Trevor), Jacquie Nicholson (Rob), Brad Nicholson, Mark Yanick (Tanya), Rory Nicholson, Joel Yanick (Kyla), Kelsey Nicholson, Rick Nicholson and great-granddaughters; Shaelyn Kirk-Yanick and Lainey and Lexi Teall. Claris will also be missed by her nieces and nephew and many family and friends. Claris was predeceased by her husband Art, parents Austin and Elma Gray, parents-in-law Charles and Isabella Nicholson, sisters-in-law Isabel Nicholson and Gilda Nicholson, brother-in-law Harry Nicholson and granddaughter Kari-Ann Yanick. A funeral service was held at Westminister United Church in Shoal Lake on June 12, 2017 with Rev. Doug Martindale of Hamiota presiding. Granddaughter Kelsey played the harp, granddaughters Krissy and Jacquie provided the eulogy, grandsons and grandsons-in-law; Brad, Mark, Rory, Joel, Rick, Trevor and Rob acted as pallbearers, and great-grandaughters, Shae, Lainey and Lexi were honorary pallbearers. A horse drawn hearse carried Claris to her final resting place at the Shoal Lake Cemetery. Thank YouOur most sincere gratitude is offered to the home care workers who provided exceptional care for Mom (Grandma) enabling her to stay in her home for many years and to the PCH, health centre and EMS staff for your care. Thanks to Shauna and the staff of Rae’s, Rev. Doug Martindale, Isobel and the choir, Westminster United Church lunch folks, Terry Drebit, Ernie Peleshok and the Prairie Mountain Regional Museum for your assistance with the funeral. Thank you to those who sent cards, flowers, donations and food, and for the visits, phone calls and hugs, your compassion is greatly appreciated.Bill, Sandy and Families

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 30, 2017