Clara May (Beeching) Lalonde

Clara May Lalonde (Beeching) was born on June 24,1930 in  Tisdale, SK. She was the third child  of seven born to Ernie and Clara Beeching and grew up on a homestead near Steen, SK.  May went to North Hide Country School, two miles on foot from the family home. May and sister June moved to Saskatoon for high school and college, rooming with an aunt and uncle until May graduated as a registered nurse.  May met her future husband,  Aldeo Lalonde, on the family farm in 1948, but made him wait to get married until she completed her training in 1953. May worked at Tisdale Hospital (where she was born) from 1954 to 1974, between having four children, farming duties, volunteering at church, school, and 4H Club, and being a St. John First Aid Outpost. Using WW 2 veteran’s savings, Aldeo purchased the family farm near Bjorkdale, SK which provided food goods, playground, entertaining spaces, and good memories until it was sold in 1974. May and Aldeo loved to travel and took the family of teenagers to Europe for five weeks before settling down in Summerland, BC. May went to work at Summerland General Hospital and retired in 1991.

Along the way, May formed many long lasting friendships with coworkers and other community members. She was the president of the Summerland Cancer Chapter and was a founding member and had just been awarded Lifetime Honorary Member of the Neighborlink organization.  She was a proud member of the United Church Women and had continued to serve at the church until her passing. She had made more sandwiches for weddings and funerals over the years than Subway, if they were given the same opportunity. Through all of this, May was still a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, confidante, and mentor. She ALWAYS had time to listen and help those around her whom she felt needed care and love.

Our Mom, Grams, GG, May will be sorely missed for her ability to simplify life’s difficulties with kindness and gentle words. Her door was always open and the kettle was always on. If you were fortunate, it would be on a baking day and you could sample fresh buns, jelly roll, or angel food cake.

May will be especially missed by her kids Rick (Shannon), Carole Lalonde, Alvin (Donna), and Lillian (Harvey); ten grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; sister June; and brothers Roy (Jean) and David. May was predeceased by her husband Aldeo Lalonde; parents Ernest and Clara Beeching; and her brothers John, Clarence, and  Norman.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Summerland United Church, 13204 Henry Ave., Summerland, BC.

Condolences may be directed to the family through providencefuneralhomes.com 250-494-7752.