Obituary of Catherine Clare Rudd

Rudd, Emma Catherine “Clare” Born: November 30, 1930 – Died: November 6, 2018 Emma Catherine Clare Rudd (formerly LeBlanc, nee Mahoney) was born on the family dairy farm just outside of Rockland, Ontario. This instilled a lifelong love of gardening, nature and catching frogs to show her children and grandchildren. She graduated from the University of Ottawa in Nursing as class valedictorian. Following this, she married Phillip LeBlanc and they moved to Vancouver and began their family. In all, her 6 children were born in 5 different cities over 11 years. A constant in her life was a series of cats, most of them named Blackie! Clare had many interests throughout her life- she sewed clothes for herself and her kids, including lovely Easter outfits worn by the 4 girls. She also learned to knit, weave, make jewellery, paint small hat boxes and paint a series of paintings of the family farm. She taught her 6 children to ski, and she overcame a fear of water by getting her swimming instructors certificate. She was an avid bridge player and hosted bridge parties in the afternoons with fancy sandwiches and stylish dresses. After she and Phil divorced, she went back to nursing and earned another degree. She moved with 4 of her children to start a new job in London at University Hospital and she continued to work in various departments until her retirement. A second marriage expanded her family with 3 more stepsons, and family dinners could be loud and crowded. Lots of laughter and lots of food! Along the way there were difficult times - a second divorce and the death of her youngest son Danny. More recently Clare struggled with increasing dementia. She faced this squarely and wanted to be in a place where she would not be a burden to anyone. Thank you to Highview Residence for providing a loving home for her in her final years. A special thank you to Amber who has taken Blackie into her home! Clare is predeceased by her sister Lorraine, her son Danny, grandson Christopher (Cathy) and stepson Steve (Anita). She is survived by: her sister Mary Gibbons and brother John R Mahoney; her son Michael, daughters Jocelyn, Barbara, Sue (Owen Brock), and Cathy (John Trocchi); stepsons Mark (Janice) and Brad.; grandchildren Brandon (Nina), Matt, Becky, Nikki, Emily, Jake, Christopher, Christina, Ryan, Zack, Georgia and Noah; great grandchildren , Avery and Cali as well as countless nieces and nephews. Instead of flowers or donations, please give family and friends a hug, enjoy dinner together to share old memories and make new ones. We will have a celebration of Clare’s life at 10 am on November 13th,2018 at Holy Family Church, 777 Valetta St. in London, reception and fellowship to follow. Visitation will be November 12th from 7-9pm at the Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street, London. Clare requested that we wear bright colours and share happy memories of a life well lived.