HEALY, Clara

Clara Healy (Eagle Bear) “Koo’daan”

January 29, 1941 – May 24, 2021

It is with great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of our dear mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother on May 24, 2021 at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Clara was born on January 29, 1941 to Mike and Angeline Eagle Bear, the eldest of ten children. She is survived by her Children: Kevin (Lori) Healy, Denise (Tyrone) Potts, Pam Healy, Myron (Tanya) Eagle Speaker, and Kurt Healy; Grandchildren: Brett (Lindsay) Healy, Kristen (Kyle) Shade, Darci (Wayne) Healy, Latoya (Ethan) Healy, Jeremy (Erin) Healy, Tia (Jesse) Potts, Clinton (Ray) Potts, Shelby Potts, Joel (Alisha) Healy, Bailee (Darrel) Healy, Brittany Shade, Darby Eagle Speaker, Torry (Punky) Eagle Speaker, Kalli Eagle Speaker, Trent (Sarah) Soosay, Tiauna (Austin) Soosay, and Anjiloh Healy; Great grandchildren: Griffin, Chaliss, Lexus, Teagyn, Kadin, Trista, Kantrell, Rosalie, Anthony, Nynnilah, Hunter, Ryden, Fallyn, Jovan, Ryler, J.T., Asher, Toka’sa, Gaby, and Andy; Sibling: Gilbert (Velma) Eagle Bear and sisters: Evelyn Scout, Audrey Eagle Bear, Marsha (Merlin) Provost, Anita (Randy) Eagle Bear, Connie Tail Feathers, Emelda (Gilbert) Black Water, Evangeline Provost, Joan Eagle Speaker, and Teresa Black Water.

Clara attended St. Mary’s boarding school where she learned to cook, sew and clean. Although the years at boarding school were tough and often lonely, she never complained. Clara was fondly known as “Elizabeth Taylor” because she was so beautiful. She was lovingly referred to by people as a “real classy lady”. She loved to shop and had great taste in clothing and gifts. Mom met dad, the love of her life Art Healy Jr., who she married in 1960. Together they raised six children at the Old Agency Homestead after briefly residing at the North End Ranch. They shared fifty loving years together.

Mom was a homemaker for many years, at least once a week she would make yeast buns and the smell of fresh baked buns was heavenly. When Grandpa Mike and Grandma Angeline would visit, Grandpa would tell her to make her cream peas and her Salada tea and Grandma would scold Grandpa for asking. When her children were older, she ventured out to her first job as a store cashier, at Stan and Ben’s General Store, in Standoff, AB which eventually became the Standoff Supermarket. She worked at the Standoff Supermarket for years and eventually worked her way to the Managerial position because she was an exemplary employee. Mom and Lynn volunteered at the Kainai food bank for several years until Lynn’s health declined. She also worked at Kainai Continuing Care before she retired, and spent her time devoted to caring for her daughter Lynn Carmen.

Mom supported dad in his recreational activities cheering him on at rodeo’s, ball games, hockey games, chariot racing and horseracing. One of their highlights was when dad’s hockey team attended a tournament at St. John’s, New Brunswick. She was so excited to go on this trip, she packed and repacked several times, and she even bought a beautiful fur coat for that trip. Mom supported dad when he joined the “Horn Society”. Dad also supported mom in her recreational activities, he encouraged her to ride horses and they would often go for leisurely ride in their younger days. Mom played fastball with the Kainai Klippers for three years, they attended many tournaments and won many championships.

Mom attended Red Crow College in 1982 – 83 where she received her diploma in Small Business. She also attended a Spanish course at the Lethbridge Community College because she and her friend Emma Lee were venturing on a trip to Guatemala, South America. Mom and Emma Lee got to visit a lot of churches while on their trip. They also had opportunities to stay with friends that Emma Lee knew. Mom saw the poor living conditions and was amazed at their generosity. After mom’s return from her trip to Guatemala she gained a new perspective of how fortunate she was. One of the things mom said about her trip was “I live in a castle compared to some of the people in Guatemala”. Many of the people she met touched her life.

Mom loved to read romance novels and always carried her novels everywhere she went, if she had downtime, she would pull out her book to catch a few pages. She had a book cover that she bought from Avon it was a red and white with a mouse at the bottom left corner, she had that book cover for so long the mouse looked like it had a dirty face even with a good wash. She was often teased about her mouse.

Mom’s house was the place her family all gathered to celebrate birthdays, holidays, barbeques and to find comfort or just to have a good visit. Mom had a special place in her heart for each one of her family members. She welcomed everyone who stopped by to visit.

Mom attended church her entire life and was devoted to her Catholic faith, she was a true woman of virtue. Proverbs 31:10-31

Predeceased: husband Art Healy Jr., daughter Lynn Carman, parent’s Mike and Angeline Eagle Bear, brother’s Alphonse, Junior, Vern Eagle Bear and Fritz Chief Moon, sister’s Edna Eagle Bear, Carol Black Water, In-laws Arthur and Betty Healy.

Extended family: Knifes, Big Sorrel Horse, English, Fox, Many Fingers, Mistaken Chief, Beebe, First Charger, Turning Robes, Eagle Child, Bloods, Pace, Red Crow, we apologize for anyone we may have missed.

A Viewing will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Monday, May 31, 2021 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and Tuesday, June 1 from 9:00 – 11:00 am with a Family Service to follow at 11:00 am. (Due to COVID – Only a limited number of people will be allowed into the service) Interment to follow at One Spot Cemetery.

To send a condolence or Watch the Funeral please visit www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.