Melva Maureen Clarke

MELVA CLARKE (Nee: Cook) Born in Barkway, April 23, 1926 - December 26, 2023

Melva, one of 11 children born to Ambrose and Cora Cook, grew up on the farm in Barkway.  

During WWII, she worked for Dehavilland making Mosquito bomber parts. After the war

she was married to her "sailor" Ross Clarke (HMCS Lanark) in 1946 and settled in Gravenhurst.

After successfully running a corner store (Red & White) for a number of years, she became a receptionist / office manager for Drs. Lindenfield, Hillyard, Todd & Chute, for many, many years.  

She also, was a long-time member of the CWL at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Gravenhurst and was an active leader with Brownies and Girl Guides.

She also enjoyed golf, knitting, quilting, painting, woodworking, bridge, and cribbage.  She also loved spending time in her garden, lovingly designed and created by her daughter, Jennifer.

In later years, she lived at Granite Ridge Retirement Home, where she met many old and new friends and organized bridge and bid euchre.  She then moved to Huntsville and lived the last few years at her daughter and son-in-law's (Ross) home.

She was predeceased by her siblings: Raymond, Clayton, Olive, Fern, Floyd, Bruce, Betty and William.  Surviving are sister Gloria Girard of Gravenhurst, brother Robert of Wilberforce, children; Steven (& Jane Cargill), Jennifer (& Ross Adams), Glenn (& Terry Moody)  and Sandra (& Herman Johnson), grandchildren; Cora, Erin, Scott, Lindsey, Kailey, Tarryn, Dustin, Jillian, Quincy & Treeva, great-grandchildren: Owen, Ben, Liam, Avery, Kira, Harlin, Hayden, Declan, Foster, Clarke, Oscar & Hugo.  Yes, that's 11 great-grandsons and 1 great-granddaughter.  Poor Kira.

A visitation and mass will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at St. Paul's Catholic Church with visitation from 10:30-11:00am, and mass beginning at 11:00am.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to Canadian Food for Children and can be arranged through Cavill Funeral Home, or by mailing directly to the below address:

Canadian Food for Children

1258 Lakeshore Road East

Mssisauga, Ontario L5E 1E9