Obituary of Clara Strickland

STRICKLAND, Clara North Sydney It is with our deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Clara (Hardy) Strickland age 97 of North Sydney, Cape Breton, on April 14th, 2024, at the Glen Haven Manor in New Glasgow. Born in Rose Blanche, Newfoundland, she was a daughter of the late Richard Hardy and Annie (Burt) Hardy. She was one out of seven children in the family. She travelled from Newfoundland to Cape Breton by boat, on her own at the age of 15. This is where she met the love of her life, the late Raymond “Duke” Strickland. Clara was a wonderful homemaker. She made the best molasses cookies for her grandchildren and you could always count on a roast beef dinner while visiting. She was always in the kitchen baking from her handwritten recipe book. She was an avid knitter, creating beautiful patterns and keeping her children and grandchildren’s feet warm with her handcrafted wool socks as well as with many other one of a kind creations. She was proud of her family and always boasting about all of their accomplishments. Clara was also a long time and devoted member of the St. John Anglican Church in North Sydney where she would donate her knitting, her baked goods and much of her time. Clara is predeceased by her parents, Richard and Annie Hardy, her love of her life, Raymond “Duke” Strickland and her eldest son, Raymond “Ray” Strickland. As well as all her siblings, Doris, Julia, TJ, Charles, Bill and George. She is survived by her youngest son, Richard (Joann) Strickland of Three Brooks; her daughter-in-law, Suzanne Strickland of Scotsburn; her granddaughter, Leah Strickland (Tyler) of Pictou; her grandsons, Tye Strickand (Nhui) of Scotsburn and Peter Strickland (Sarah) of Nanaimo, BC; her great-grandsons, Jasper, Noah and Dylan; her great-granddaughter, Jolene; and nephew, Richard Hardy in Newfoundland. Special thanks to Jeannie and Abby Keeping in Cape Breton, who were avid, caring friends in the past. The family will be holding a private service at a later date where Clara’s ashes will be buried with Duke. The family would like to thank the staff of Glen Haven Manor for taking great care of Clara the last few years. Donations can be made to the SPCA in Clara’s memory as Clara and Duke had many beloved cats over the years.