Surrounded by three generations of the beloved family she created, October 4, 2023, at the age of 89 years. Dedicated wife of the late Giuseppe "Joe" and wonderful mother of Isabel Cheney, the late Susanna Prinzo (Tony), and Anthony (Sandra). Cherished grandmother of Carmela (Mikin), Carla, Nadia (John), Giacomo, Jeff (José) and Cristiano (Kristen). Amazing great-grandmother to Rayna, Romeo, Valentino, Cosimo, Fiona and Myah. Treasured sister of Ines and Antonietta, and their siblings who have passed, Luigi, Luciano, Lorenzo, Lia, and Lucio. Her irreplaceable presence on Earth will be truly missed by her family and friends in Canada, Italy, the US, and Switzerland, including her niece, nephews and in-laws.
Nonna Clara was a force of nature that became your favourite person and your "Nonna" within a few minutes of meeting her. Born the first of eight siblings, in the small village of Cepletischis, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, hard work and selflessness came to define Clara early on. The poverty and suffering of her childhood taught her that money could come and go; it was relationship and human connection that mattered most. Clara saw the light in everyone, and made you feel special and loved for who you are. Her cherished mother, Carla, was her hero; she taught Clara strength, grace, how to grow anything and use nature as medicine, and to put God first.
Clara had lots of opinions and wasn't afraid to share them, in multiple languages. Although she was fluent in Italian, Clara's mother tongue was a Slovenian dialect spoken in the region. Her work ethic and natural intelligence earned her the opportunity to work abroad in England and Belgium, where she added English and French to her repertoire. She could also charm you in Spanish thanks to soap operas and impress you with a few words in Gujarati.

Clara loved music, especially Slovenian, Italian and country. She shared this passion with her husband Beppino, and together they could light up the dance floor or take your breath away with their vocal harmonies.
Of all of her passions, family was her biggest, especially cooking for, caring for, and worrying about us. She prayed for us daily. She knew what everyone's favourite dish was and made sure to prepare it for when she saw you. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren, spoiling them at every opportunity, with a twinkle in her eye and an ability to create fun and a bit of mischief in any situation.
Fiercely independent, she still had her licence and drove regularly to Ottawa from her home in Winchester. She was fearless, grateful and ready for God's call to unite her with her darling daughter Susy, husband, siblings who passed before her and their parents.

Funeral Arrangements

Friends may pay respects at St. Anthony's Church in Ottawa for Memorial Mass on Friday, November 3 at 7 pm. Clara did not want people to cry or wear black at her passing, so this will be a celebration of her life.  If you wish to make a donation in memory of Clara, please consider the Winchester Hospital https://www.wdmhfoundation.ca or the Santuario di Castelmonte in her precious homeland: https://www.santuariocastelmonte.it/it/donazioni .  Thank you to the kind staff at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Winchester Hospital.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.