Claire (Leroux) Charuk

Claire Charuk (nee Leroux) passed away peacefully on October 13, 2024. Born and raised in St. Paul, Alberta, Claire trained as a registered nurse in Vegreville. It was there that she met and married Nick (Buzz) Charuk in 1958. They settled in Calgary and Claire began her 30+ year career in health care. First, as an OR nurse at the Holy Cross, she later moved to the Rockyview Hospital to help set up its first cardiac team in the OR department. Following a brief hiatus to raise her three children, Claire embarked on a 20-year career with Carewest, retiring as the administrator of the Sarcee Auxiliary Hospital. She was proud to be a nurse, and she treated all those she worked with, and the patients she helped, with compassion and professionalism. She was also fond of being the “neighborhood nurse”, called on to offer advice or treatment to anyone who needed it.

Claire loved to travel and was able to visit a vast array of countries. She was also a proud Canadian and made a point to see every province and territory. But no matter how far she travelled, her heart was always in St. Paul. After she retired, she purchased a cottage on St. Vincent Lake and spent many summers hosting friends and family in what she truly felt was God’s country.

An avid gardener, reader, golfer, floor curler, nature lover, and regular in her senior exercise groups, Claire was an active member in her community, including the Parkdale Nifty Fifties, St. Bernard’s parish, and the Riverside Club.

Claire is survived by her three sons, John (Diana Steinhauer) of Saddle Lake, Alberta, Peter, and Thomas (Teresa Scarlett) of Calgary. She was a loving and tireless supporter of her kids and all their endeavours.

She is also survived by her three grandsons, Nicholas, William, and Matthew. It is no exaggeration to say her grandkids were the light of her life. She loved them fiercely and would talk about them constantly given the chance!

Claire also leaves behind her sisters, Lorraine Joly, Yvette Laboucane, Yolande Gagnon (Denis), and Claudette Roy (Simon). More than just siblings, Claire considered her sisters amongst her best friends. Their shared pride in their French-Canadian culture and commitment to feminist advocacy helped shape the person Claire was. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and friends far too numerous to name but who were all so dear to her.

Claire was predeceased by her husband Nick, her parents Ordonne and Beatrice, brothers Roland and Emile, and her dear sister Moza Richard.

Claire also loved her Charuk-in-law family and was proud to be a part of their Ukrainian heritage and traditions. They always made her feel like one of their own, even after Nick’s passing in 1982.

We mourn the loss of Claire and will reflect on a life full of service to her community and love and pride in her family and friends. But we know she would want us to, in her words, “get organized and get on with it”!

 A Private Family Service will be held for Claire with a Celebration of Life at a later date.

The family would like to thank all the incredible staff at Chartwell Colonel Belcher, Wentworth Manor, Bayshore Health, Comfort Keepers as well as all the amazing AHS workers we encountered.

If so desired, donations in Claire’s memory can be made to the Carewest Foundation (www.calgaryhealthfoundation.ca/carewest) or the Kerby Centre for Seniors in Calgary (www.unisonalberta.com).

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