Clarke, Jane Gordon (McCallum); passed away on Monday, March 19, 2012, in Victoria, BC after a short illness. She is predeceased by her husband of 40 years Colin Malcolm Clarke. Jane is survived by her four children, Bill Clarke (Sherry) of Victoria BC, Jane Ilott (Steve) of Tsawwassen BC, Beth Johnston (Rob) of Victoria BC, and Mary MacLachlan (Andrew) of Chiang Mai, Thailand; grandchildren Joshua and Cameron Clarke, Graham, Callum and Emily Ilott, Robbie and Meg Johnston and Maeve MacLachlan; her sisters Margaret Muller (Bob) and Agnes Weiler; sister-in-law Sheelagh Spinks (Michael), and many nieces and nephews. Jane was born on December 25, 1934 in Guelph, Ontario to the late Isaac & Agnes McCallum. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1957, and then attended the Anglican Women’s Training College and studied theology. Jane was a true pioneer of the North. In 1959-1962, she worked in the North West Territories with the Slavey Indians as a missionary nurse. She left to marry Colin Clarke in June 1963. Jane continued to work as a Registered Nurse for 50 years at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Wellington Terrace and Stone Road Lodge. She was Director of Nursing for St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged. Jane was a lifelong member of Girl Guides. She loved Guiding and continued to help with the Guiding units in Fergus for many years. She was a Brown Owl, Guider in Charge, Pathfinder & Ranger Leader as well as District Commissioner for Snowy Highlands District. She spent many of her holidays as camp nurse for Camp Keewatin and Doe Lake. In 1985, she was awarded Citizen of the Year in Fergus for her dedication to service in the community. In 1970, Colin and Jane moved to Fergus and spent the next 37 years in the big rambling house on Union Street. It was only after her health started to fail that she moved west to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She will forever be remembered for her wonderful shortbread and her hospitality to family and friends, and her selfless service to her community. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at 11am at St. James Anglican Church, 171 Queen Street East, Fergus. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation and Girl Guides of Canada.
