Claire BERRY

Marie Marguerite Claire Huard Berry passed away on April 19, 2026, with her husband of over 60 years, Laurence Albert Berry (Al), holding her hand. She is predeceased by her siblings, Jean-Louis, Bruno, Yvon, and Louise and survived by Al, son (Marc), daughter (Tanya [David]), and sister (Monique).

Claire was born on March 22, 1942, and her childhood was spent in Amos, Quebec with her large and boisterous French-Canadian family. After graduating Secondary School, Claire earned her Registered Nursing Certificate in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. Her elder brother, Yvon, suggested she join the Canadian Army when she told him she wanted to learn English. She received a commission in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1964 where she met Al who was serving in the medical corps training centre at Camp Borden. She was serving as a registered nurse in Currie Barracks near Calgary Alberta when Al chased her to propose. Their first posting as a married couple was in West Germany where their son was born. After leaving the military in 1967, Claire and Al moved to BC where their daughter was born. They moved to Sparwood in 1981 where she continued to work as a nurse until retiring from her last job at the Tom Uphill Home in Fernie.

Claire picked up some fun English idioms over the years and one of the highest compliments she could give was to refer to someone as a “tough cookie”. She was a funny, surprisingly cheeky, fiercely independent woman. Claire was definitely a tough cookie.

Her heritage, deeply meaningful Roman Catholic faith, and love of her family and nature can best be expressed in French. Elle voyait la beauté de Dieu dans chaque paysage et la tendresse du Créateur dans les yeux de sa famille. Elle retourne aujourd'hui vers cette lumière. 

The family would like to thank the staff at the Elk Valley Hospital for the care she received in her final days and the incredible support they gave Al as he sat by her side. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to a chosen charity.

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