Martha Elinor Rachel Clowes

It is with profound sadness that the family of Martha Elinor Rachel Clowes, age 83, announce her sudden passing at home in Murillo on September 19, 2021.

Martha was born December 11, 1937 in Fort William, Ontario, the 6th of 9 children born to Storm and Eileen Burke. While she spent her childhood growing up in Westfort, she also spent time living with her beloved Aunt Martha and Uncle Bill in Beardmore, Ontario.

Martha met her soul mate Llewellyn Cecil Clowes and they married at a young age. She spent her life dedicated to him until his untimely passing in 2001. She was a hardworking wife and mother who was fiercely proud of her children, grandchildren and her home. She loved being active doing things like gardening, furniture refinishing, fishing especially at Pakashkan, and going to yard sales with her sisters and her children. She enjoyed baking and we all remember her famous blueberry supreme. She was also an artist who had an eye for colour and design which reflected in her home and yard which she took great pride in by refreshing and redecorating. She loved animals and would often take care of ones in need that came across her path no matter what kind as their vulnerability touched her soul. She was never afraid to express her opinion but it always was out of love. She was a very private person with an amazing spirit who never complained about her own problems. Even after the passing of Llewellyn she worked tirelessly and remained independent. She had a sense of humour and a touch of stubbornness which was inherited by all her children. We will all remember her as very thoughtful, loving, kind and dedicated to her family. Both she and Llewellyn emphasized the importance of family and passed down traditions that we continue to this day.

Mourning her loss are her 6 daughters Debby (Pete) Viherkoski, Susan Clowes, Kellie (Jamie) Winters, Coreen (Rob) Haichuck, Cheryle (Gary) Burke and Sharon (Frank Valente); 2 sons Derrick (Tracey) and William (Roxanne); 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; brothers Norman (Evelyn), Lorne (Cynthia) and Wilbur (Marilyn); sisters Norma (Bill) Hall, Rosemary Hill and Arlene Rutherford; along with many nieces and nephews and extended family. She will also be sadly missed by her two Dobermans and cat.

Martha was predeceased by her husband Llewellyn of 48 years, grandson Chad Viherkoski, parents Storm and Eileen Burke, sister Thera Henry, older brother in infancy George amongst other close family members regrettably too numerous to name them all.

While her family is devastated by her untimely passing, we are comforted by the thought that she is now reunited in heaven dancing with the love of her life surrounded by family and the many fur babies that she loved and cared for.

Visitation for family and friends will be held in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services for Martha will be held in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre on Thursday, September 23, 2021 presided by Rev. Brooke Belliveau at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Due to current gathering restrictions, space is limited. Please call the funeral home at 346-9880 if you wish to attend the Funeral Service.

For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed live and then archived at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well.

As directed by the Province of Ontario and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, a record of attendance must be maintained. Wearing of masks or face coverings by everyone and maintaining social distancing of 6 feet is mandatory for those attending the visitation and services.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to the Thunder Bay District Humane Society, PETA, SPCA or any charity of your choosing that dedicates themselves to the rescue and care of animals.

Special people never leave us,
Even after they are gone.
They live in our hearts forever,
Nothing can break that bond.
We love you Mom always,
All your children