Obituary of D. Pearl McClare

McCLARE, Dorothy "Pearl"

Age 91, of Windsor, NS, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at Dykeland Lodge, Windsor, NS. Born at home in South Rawdon, NS on July 27, 1926, Pearl was the youngest child of the late F. Raymond and Nellie A. (Smith) Dimock.

Pearl began her Nova Scotia teaching career at age 16 near Shubenacadie, followed by North Grand Pre and Gay’s River.  Following studies at Provincial Normal College, Truro, she taught at Glenholme, where she was also principal, then Parrsboro and South Rawdon.  She also worked as a receptionist at the Dartmouth Medical Center, Dartmouth, NS.

Pearl married Donald McClare in 1951.  They lived in Boston while he completed his studies for the ministry and she worked at the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company.  They served in the Baptist pastorates of East Point, PEI; Centreville, Digby County, NS; Newcastle, NB; Havelock, NB; Lockeport, NS; and North River, PEI.  While raising four children she resumed her teaching career in Havelock and continued in full and part time positions until her retirement.  After retirement she and Donald continued an active life in Windsor and Wolfville, NS.

Throughout her life she served in local church activities: Sunday School, Baby Band, Mission Band, CGIT, World Wide Guild and Women’s Missionary Societies.  She was President of the United Baptist Women’s Missionary Union 1992-94 and she served on many boards and committees of the UBWMU and the Atlantic Baptist Convention. 

Music was an important part of her life.  She played the piano, was a frequent church and wedding soloist, sang duets with Donald, performed with the family, and sang in numerous choirs.  She enjoyed baking, knitting, reading and gardening.  In retirement she and Donald led monthly hymn sings in two nursing homes, delivered Meals on Wheels, served on the board of the Canadian Bible Society and sang with the Acadia University Chorus and a Windsor community choir.

Pearl is survived by: sons, John Arthur (Kathy), Middle Sackville, NS; Stephen, Toronto, ON; Timothy (Heidi), Hubley, NS; daughter, Rosanne (Stephen MacNeil), Wolfville, NS; grandchildren, Michelle McClare, Halifax, NS and David MacNeil, Wolfville, NS; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Pearl was predeceased by husband, Rev. Donald I. McClare; brothers, Flight Sgt. Arthur E. Dimock (WWII); Harris R. Dimock and sister C. Alberta Blois.

Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317), where visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, December 6. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 7 at Falmouth Baptist Church, 404 Town Road, followed by refreshments.  Interment will be in the South Rawdon Baptist Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations in Pearl’s memory may be made to Atlantic Baptist Women (UBWMU), Alzheimer’s Society, or to a charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca