Obituary of Edith Claire Emery Machan

Claire died in the early morning of Christmas Eve at Belleville General Hospital, departing peacefully in her sleep. She was 97 and ready to move on.

She leaves behind sisters Betsy Eydt and Mary Campbell, daughter Christine Gillespie (Jamie Coatsworth) and son George Emery (Krystina Contini) as well as stepdaughters Janice Willwerth (Andy van der Velden) and Dr. Carolyn Machan (Don Rudolph). Also saddened by her departure are grandchildren Peter, Matthew, Joseph, Francis, Emily, Isaac, Owen, Georgia, Meredith, Jackson, Scarlett and great-grandchildren Beckett, Colette and Isla. She was predeceased by husbands Glenn Emery (1977) and Glen Machan (2023), son John (2013) and grandson Alexander (1997).

Claire was born on June 19, 1927, to Mildred and Bertram Dickson in Hamilton, where she grew up and graduated from McMaster University with a BA in English. She raised her own family in Burlington where she was a reporter/columnist for the Burlington Gazette and worked at the Burlington Public Library in programs and public relations. 

Following the death of first husband Glenn, Claire was swept off her feet and easily persuaded to move to Waterloo by second husband Glen. (She was hopeless with names so two Glen(n)s was fortuitous.) She began a new and fulfilling chapter which included community involvement, extensive travel and a busy social life that rivalled people much younger. She worked with the Rotary Children’s Centre, the KW Symphony Orchestra and the Volunteer Action Centre. 

Claire was a voracious reader, a decent bridge player and a willing participant in new adventures.  She was a proud United Empire Loyalist, a founding member of KW Probus, an active member of her church and a lover of the Bruce Peninsula. She was also an author, a Paul Harris Fellow, an amateur historian and an all-round good sport. 

A memorial service to celebrate Claire’s life will be held at Parkminster United Church, 274 Erb St. E, Waterloo, on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Gord Dunbar officiating. A reception will follow the service in the Church Hall.

Condolences for the family and memorial donations to Parkminster United Church can be arranged through Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.