Clara Alice Nolan

It is with sorrowful, bittersweet sadness that Clara’s family is announcing her passing on April 20^th, 2023. Clara went peacefully with family by her side.

Clara was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan in 1927 to Minnie and Arthur Cornish. Together they had 4 children.  Later in the years, Minnie married Russell Albright and together they raised 7 children.

Clara grew up with her siblings in Doe River, BC. Her future husband, Art Nolan, had left home at an early age and landed in Doe River, working, and going to school when he could. School is where Clara and Art met.

In 1944, they married and moved to a farm in East Doe River, Alberta. It is here that they started their family of 6 sons and 2 daughters. There are many stories of playful mischievous encounters. Never a dull moment during those tough economic times.

Clara was a mother, managed the home and later worked driving a school bus and became a driving instructor. Leaving farm life, Clara and younger children followed Art north, to Summit Lake, BC.  This started the Alaska Highway way of life. Eventually, they moved to Iron Creek and then to Watson Lake, Yukon. Clara did everything from labour work, working in restaurants, hotels, a jail guard at the RCMP and at the hospital in Watson. Her final job was keeping the books for Nolan Trucking.

Clara was as proud of Art’s many trucks over the years as he was. The other source of pride and joy was her family in its entirety. She loved them unconditionally. She was always concerned with everyone’s well being. If someone was travelling through, they were always offered a bed for the night or at least given a meal before heading on their way. Company was always welcome, the coffee pot, always on.

Her love for animals was evident in the many rescues that she and Art took in, throughout the years.

Clara moved from Watson Lake to Whistle Bend Place just prior to her 92nd birthday. Art would follow her less than a year later. They were able to spend COVID isolation together, as well as celebrate 77 years of marriage.

Clara is survived by her children Bruce (Veronica), Garth (Yvonne), Christine (John), Debbie (Ed), Brian (Judy), many grandchildren and great grandchildren, sister Marion, brother John, many nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by husband Art, sons George, Dennis, and Danny, grandson Michael, parents Minnie, Arthur, step-dad Russell, brothers Bill, Ken, James, and sister Lillian.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Staff at Bear Lake House, for their unwavering care for Clara. Thank you for genuinely accepting her witty comments and no-nonsense humor.

Clara and Art will be laid to rest together, later this summer, in Rolla B.C.

“There is a lot I don’t know, but a lot more that I don’t want to know.”  – Clara