Clara was born in Croydon, England June 10, 1922 - one of 9 children. She had 2 sisters (Mabel and Rita) and 6 brothers (Ernie, Tom, Sid, Charlie, Jimmy and Bill). War broke out in 1939 when Clara, at age 17, with many other English women, was expected to work 14-hour days to help replace the men who went to battle. Her five oldest brothers served in the English Armed Forces, so Clara worked hard at home to do her part. This trait remained part of her character - "working hard to do her part". At age 18 Clara met a Canadian soldier, Frederick Liddle, who was serving in England. Fred had actually been born in England but immigrated to Canada with his family when he was about eight years old. She was out with some girl friends when she heard a whistle and "Hi Blondie, where are you headed?" From then on Clara had eyes only for "My Fred". Fred proposed and told Clara he planned to remain in England when the war ended. They married in England August 20, 1941. Fred returned to the front line serving with Headquarters Company, Carleton & York Regiment, attached to the British Eighth Army. Organizing in North Africa, this Regiment was involved in the Sicilian Campaign and the Invasion of Italy. When the war ended in 1945 Clara waited with her two-year old daughter, Brenda (who had not yet met her father), for her husband and her brothers to return from the battlefront. One brother returned, then another…..then another, but no sign of husband, Fred. Needless to say, she was most surprised and shocked when she received a telegram from "My Fred" that said, "Arrived in Canada safe and well. Come as soon as possible." As shocked as she was, and with bittersweet feelings, she set about making plans, through the Red Cross, for herself and daughter to travel across the ocean to Canada. Clara and Brenda arrived by ship at Halifax in March of 1946 and were processed through the now famous "Pier 21". "Culture Shock" greeted Clara when she arrived at her new home at Sussex Corner - so far and so different from the hustle and bustle of London, England. Clara missed her large family, she missed the excitement and activity of the busy city, BUT she resolved to make her "new" home with her beloved husband and his family. She learned her wifely tasks well - cooking, cleaning, knitting, gardening, pickling and canning - all while rearing 5 children. Clara's children currently all live in New Brunswick. Brenda (Jim Brown) Graham was born in 1943 in England; the next four children were born in Sussex - Carol Ann (Wayne) Anderson, in 1947; Wilhelmina (Barry) Arthurs, in 1948; Fred (Harriet) Liddle, in 1952; and Tom (Barb) Liddle, in 1953. After their arrival in the Sussex area, the "Overseas war brides" were introduced to one another through the Red Cross, and they soon became sisters to each other - sharing joys, sadness, news from home (England) and social events. Living in the midst of war was an unbelievable test of spirit, but it built character, determination and compassion in those who survived. Now, so far from home and families, they reminisced about their earlier years when, as teenagers, they had to learn to survive the bombings, the blackouts, the fear, the fatigue, the hunger, and the rationing and long line-ups for food. But most of all they remembered the devastation when friends and family learned loved ones had been killed or maimed by bombs and air raids over their homes in England or in battle on mainland Europe. Through these hardships, character traits of endurance and perseverance were enhanced - character traits that would help see them through the rest of their lives. When necessary, they cried together; but to survive, they also had to learn how to enjoy life when time permitted. During these times they also learned to laugh, dance, and sing together. Clara was always a wonderful and devoted "Mum" and she also became involved in community affairs. She raised her family on meager income and supplemented shortfalls by working outside the home and buying used goods at yard sales (referred to as "rummage" sales back then). She was a great shopper; and, it was said the family looked like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Clara worked as a house cleaner, a baker, a waitress at the old SMT restaurant and "Uncle Fred's restaurant, and as a cook and waitress in a weekend "Fish and Chip" stand. For many years she prepared the hot lunches for the students at the old Sussex Composite School. Many people remember Clara for her "creamed peas on toast". Her husband Fred worked hard, but incomes were low and money hard to come by. In the 1950's they lost their home to fire. They were uninsured so, together, they rebuilt their home on the same foundation, board-by-board, room-by-room, over many years. In 1960 Clara made her first trip back to England for a short visit. She so enjoyed being there, free from the struggles in Canada, getting reacquainted with her parents and siblings whom she dearly missed. However, it was her "Liddle" family in Canada that she yearned to get back to. In 1968 Clara was able to make another trip with her husband, Fred, to visit her then-ailing mother. In the 1970's and 1980's two trips were made with daughter, Brenda. The dream of being able to return with the daughter who had been born there, was realized. In 1986, Brenda's daughter Tanya accompanied them as well. Besides being a wonderful, caring mother and wife, Clara was always a helpful friend and neighbour. She'd help you cook, wallpaper or paint and was well known as the local "barber/hairdresser" for many friends and neighbours - as well as her own family. There were many get-togethers, family outings, and card games. In the summer when her children were younger, she would walk to a nearby swimming hole (1 mile away) with all her children - with soap, shampoo and towels - for a weekly bath in the River. Clara didn't drive in the early years and their home was located in what is now called "Four Corners". Her trips to Sussex for groceries, etc. were generally made on foot pushing a baby carriage. When the baby carriage was no longer necessary, she was often seen traveling by bicycle with the youngest of her five children sitting in the parcel carrier. It was only in later years that Clara learned how to drive a car; and it was then that she found much enjoyment by being an Avon and Sara Coventry (jewellery) consultant. Clara was well known for her ability to entertain. She could sing and dance and often accompanied Al Smith, Bert Norrad and others when they entertained at various places such as the Legion and the Kiwanis Nursing Home. She was always coaxed to sing the old Vera Lynn war songs that she knew so well. In 1989 she was the "oldest participant" in the Terry Fox Run. Clara was active and held offices in the Ladies Auxiliary, Royal Canadian Legion. She always took part in Legion activities; was an active member of Saint Paul's UCW; and in later years Clara was a "Red Hatter". Clara lost her beloved husband to heart disease in 1977 when she was still a young woman at age 55. She could have easily found a companion to ease her loneliness, but she never met another man whom she felt could take the place of "Her Fred". In addition to her 5 children, Clara has 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. One of her grandchildren (Wilhelmina's daughter) chose to make her home in England, married an Englishman and produced an English great grandchild. So…..after six and one-half decades, we have gone full circle. Clara enjoyed relative good health for her first 80 years. In 2001 Clara was diagnosed with Alzheimers, but she continued to live at home and lead an active, useful life. However, in October of 2005 she suffered a massive stroke which left her partially paralyzed and robbed her of her ability to walk and communicate intelligibly. Her inability to be understood when she "talks" is very frustrating for her and for all those who love and care for her. The "message channel" between her thought process and her speaking process was damaged as a result of the stroke. Therefore, what she is trying to say is not what we hear. However, a reactionary response that does not go through the thought process (such as "no", "oh", "okay", "thank you", and "love you") is readily understood. Clara became a resident of the Kiwanis Nursing Home in December of 2005, and at the time of this writing (April, 2011) Clara is in a place where she so often entertained. There are many familiar faces, and she is well cared for. Clara is survived by three daughters Brenda Graham and her husband Jim Brown of Sussex, Carol Ann Anderson and her husband Wayne of Apohaqui and Wilhelmina Arthurs and her husband Barry of the Kingston Peninsula; two sons: Fred Liddle and his wife Harriet of Penobsquis and Tom Liddle and his wife Barb of Fredericton; one sister Rita Walker and her husband Ben of England; Nine Grandchildren- Randy (Janice) Graham, Sussex; Tanya Graham, Sussex; Tony (Trudy) Hetherington, Fredericton; Tina (Lynn) Merriam, Ontario; Judy (Jason) Wityszyn, Ontario; Pamela (James) Mullinger, England; Jennifer (Brett) Morse, Grand Manan; Christopher (Angela) Liddle, Fredericton and Timothy (Heather) Liddle, Fredericton; Eighteen great grand children; Alex, Jesse, Katelyn, Jasmine, Emma, Ryan, Caroline, Natalie, Jordan, Joshua, Hunter, Jessica, Jillian, Brianna, Alyssa, Aiden, Ella and Parker; one remaining brother in law Jack (Joanne) Liddle of Penobsquis; many nieces and nephews in Canada and in the UK. Clara was predeceased by her brothers: William, Sydney, Charles, Ernie, Tom, and Jim, her sister, Mabel Powell and by her son-in-law, Roy Graham. Mrs. Clara Liddle formerly of Maple Ave, passed away at the Kiwanis Nursing Home on May 24, 2011 at the age of 88. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176), where visitation will be held on Friday, May 27, 2011 from 1-3 and 6-8pm. A Celebration of Clara's life will be held from St. Paul's United Church on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 2:00 pm. The interment will take place at Pioneer Cemetery. Donations made to the People's Serenity Garden or to the Kiwanis Nursing Home Garden would be appreciated by the family.