Obituary of Claire McGhee
It is with great sadness that the family of Claire McGhee (nee Courchesne) of Calgary, Alberta announces her passing on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at the age of 91 years.
Claire was the youngest of five children born to Wilfred “Bud” Courchesne and Hilda Courchesne of North Bay, Ontario.
Claire went to school in North Bay and graduated from North Bay Teachers’ College in 1952. She commenced her teaching career that same year in the Sudbury area. She began teaching with North Bay RCSS Board in 1953. From 1954 to 1956 she taught at the Barker Public School at RCAF Camp Borden. She later took a teaching position with the Marathon Public School Board from 1956 to ’57, and became the club professional for the local skating club as well. Later in ’57, she returned to North Bay, where she continued her teaching career until June of 1966.
Claire moved to St. Catharines, Ontario in the summer of ’66, and took a teaching position in what is now the Niagara Catholic District School Board. She worked for the Board for 23 years, serving 16 years as Religious Consultant and the last 5 years as Supervisor of Religious Education. To prepare for those later positions, she studied at the International Centre of Religious Education during the ’69 to ’70 school year. In 1982 she graduated Brock University with a BA with distinction in Religious Studies.
Over the years, Claire represented the Board on the Alcohol and Drug Research Foundation, and was an executive member in the Catholic Religious Education Consultants of Ontario. She also served on the National Board of Directors of Pontifical Missionary Work for Children. Claire was an active member of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), serving in several positions within that organization from 1970 to 1977.
Upon her retirement in June of 1989, Most Reverend Thomas B. Fulton, Bishop of St. Catharines, gave her the following acknowledgement: “You have earned the respect and esteem of clergy, colleagues, parents and children alike. Your contribution to the religious formation of young people is a testimony to your years of dedicated service to Catholic education in our Diocese.”
Claire loved figure skating, both competing in and teaching the sport in her younger years. Later in life, she watched every broadcasted skating event she could find.
Claire enjoyed singing, crafts, cards, and travel.
Claire married Bob McGhee in the summer of 1978. They enjoyed travelling in their motorhome, taking European river cruises, and having winter getaways to Florida for many years.
Claire moved to Calgary in 2018 & became a beloved member of Rob & Patty’s extended family, including her step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren: Jeff and Lindsay, their daughters Abigail and Bridget; David and sons Sam and Calvin; Daniel and Vanessa.
Claire is survived by her son Rob Gregory and wife Patty of Calgary, Alberta; her daughter Catherine Hutt and husband Donald of St. Catharines, Ontario; her grand-daughter Holly Hutt and fiancée John Fink of Delhi, Ontario; her grand-son Eric and wife Tori Hutt of Niagara Falls, Ontario; and her great-grand-son Emmett Hutt of Niagara Falls, Ontario. She was thrilled to meet Emmett, in 2023. Her children and grand-children gave her great joy.
Claire is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, their families, and friends, all of whom were very dear to her.
Claire was predeceased by her husband, Robert McGhee of St. Catharines, Ontario. She is also predeceased by her mother Hilda Courchesne and father Wilfred “Bud” Courchesne of North Bay, Ontario; her sisters Grace Joan Massicotte of Sudbury, Ontario and Lorraine Clemens of Fort Erie, Ontario; and her brothers Arthur Courchesne and Wilfred Francis “Fanner” Courchesne of North Bay, Ontario.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at AgeCare Skypointe for helping Claire through her past year with us. She rests in peace.
For those who would like, memorial donations may be made to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (Click Here).
Thank you…
An evening gathering will be held at GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines Ontario will be held Tuesday, August 20 2024 from 6:00 - 8:00pm with prayers beginning at 7:00pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Alfred Roman Catholic Church, 272 Vine St., St. Catharines, Ontario Wednesday, August 21 2024 at 11:00 with a reception to follow. Private Family burial to follow.