Obituary of Claudette Marie-Anne Wills

CLAUDETTE MARIE-ANNE WILLS (nee PARENT) passed away with a friend by her
side on August 20, 2022 at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg. Born December 14,
1943 in St. Catharines, Ont., she was 78 years young.

She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her siblings and extended family
in Ontario and beyond, and by numerous friends, neighbours, former students and
community members she has impacted throughout her remarkable life.

Claudette was an enthusiastic and engaging school teacher for 19 years and in retirement
continued to share her boundless faith and energy with others through community
service, activism and volunteering (primarily in Transcona).

She loved walking and swimming often and helping others with shopping, chores etc.
She kept her heart full and her mind sharp with dedicated daily practices reading
scriptures, novels, journaling, sharing prayers and meditating on many ideas and
curiosities. She had a strong will with opinions to match and would occasionally find
herself in the spotlight when raising awareness to civic issues. She loved art and was very
creative with quilting, writing and crafting heartfelt cards for friends and family, adorned
with lovely drawings and musings.

Claudette was a wonderful and faithful friend, a passionate advocate for herself and
others and an inspiring force for good in the world. She had a generous heart and proudly
supported various charitable and humanitarian organizations locally and worldwide. Her
impact has undoubtedly been profound, inspiring and far-reaching and long-lasting.
In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place and no service will be held. May
we all hold her in our hearts and celebrate her memory by finding ways to bring joy and
be of service in our own small corners of the world.

Donations in Claudette’s memory can be made to CancerCare Manitoba, Ronald
McDonald House or to your favourite charity.

Claudette’s Personal Testimony

“At this time of writing I am filled with a deep, heartfelt peace (shalom), gratitude and a
living hope in Christ Jesus.
Looking back over seven+ decades
embracing all the years and stages of my life story
thankfully savouring and relishing each new day
living, loving, learning, working
laughing, crying, smiling and praying.
My life journey is uniquely mine -
but really no different from yours
with all the good experiences, memories and moments
as well as struggles, pain, poor choices and decisions I have made.
My awesome retirement years!
My time to delight, rejoice and be glad!
- sunshine always makes me happy
- sunshine on my shoulders always makes me smile
- glorious sky blue-pink sunrises/firey sunsets
- real dark chocolate with almonds
- my spring flowers: gorgeous brilliant daffodils, waves of crocuses, majestic tulips,
fragrant lilacs and dark blue irises, glorious pink peonies
- meeting former students
- inspiring, humorous volunteer opportunities and encounters
- quilting projects for kids
- fostering kids in third world countries (30+ years)
- daily studying and meditating Holy Scriptures
- forgiving myself and others - letting go of resentments/hurts
- meeting, helping, encouraging, blessing others on their way
- being fully alive/not passively waiting
- leaving regrets of past behind, striving but not fearful
- blessing my family and friends
- following the Lord who is my Shepherd
- knowing and believing the rest of my life - and also yours, dear Reader - is waiting
- the too-good-to-be-true message of Easter to all who believe - Jesus is alive
forevermore
After the final curtain - New Life!
Triumph life continuously with love, joy, peace - no more pain or sickness or cold in a
land where we will never from old/older forevermore. Amen. Alleluia.
God bless you with His grace, peace and mercy,
Claudette