Clark, Araina Joyce
Age 79, loving wife and soulmate of Gord, passed away on December 30, 2025, at Almonte following a lengthy and valiant fight with Parkinsons with her devoted husband by her side. Loving mother to Heather and Steven, Araina leaves a lifelong legacy of strength and courage wrapped in a personality that radiated warmth, kindness and compassion. She was a wonderful wife and mother and a dedicated health care professional with an endless appetite for learning.
Born in Regina, Araina met Gord during their high school years at Central Collegiate, both graduating in 1964. Araina entered the nursing program at Regina General Hospital while Gord commenced his university studies at the Regina Campus of the University of Saskatchewan. Two and a half years later, their paths crossed at a Valentine’s Day Dance at the RGH Nurses’ Residence, where Gord’s request for an “Araina check” resulted in a subsequent date and the rest is history. They were engaged in September of 1967 and married that December 16th. Gord and Araina just recently celebrated their 58th Wedding Anniversary.
After receiving her Registered Nursing Diploma, Araina commenced her nursing career at the Regina General Hospital, working in both the Emergency and OR departments. In 1974, Gord accepted employment with the federal government in Ottawa and Araina joined the Ottawa Heart Institute team, working with Dr. Wibert Keon for five years. She joined the OR staff at the Queensway Carleton Hospital in 1980. Even during her employment, she spent evenings learning and teaching. She took classes at the University of Ottawa and graduated with her BSc Nursing Cum Laude in 1991 and taught Operating Room classes at both Algonquin College and the National Defence Medical Centre. She retired from a distinguished nursing career in 2004, after serving five years as Team Leader in the OR at QCH.
Gord and Araina were fortunate to have travelled extensively during their time together, on family trips to Florida, Hawaii and the Caribbean, and fall getaways to Vermont, with cruising and a timeshare in Aruba being their favourites. Araina, with a love of theatre, performed in an Ottawa Little Theatre production. She loved golfing and was a member at Mountain Creek GC where she enjoyed both the Ladies and Senior leagues for many years.
She took great pride in gardening and had an amazing green thumb. Araina loved reading and was thrilled to be in a book club populated by her former colleagues from QCH – wining and dining was an important ingredient to all gatherings. With Gord heavily involved in service work with the Kiwanis Club of Nepean, Araina decided that “if you can’t beat them, join them” and became an active member of the club and participated in several service projects.
In 2013, Gord and Araina decided to downsize and moved to the new Mill Run subdivision in Almonte. While enjoying the quieter lifestyle, Araina threw herself into community work with tremendous enthusiasm, becoming a member of the Patient Family Advisory Committee for the Almonte General Hospital. She also served as a member of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for Mississippi Mills, where she was a strong advocate for a more inclusive and functional environment for all. Araina participated in the Parkinson Canada Superwalk for the last two decades and raised in excess of $20 thousand for the organization.
When Parkinsons became a greater challenge for both Araina and her caregiver Gord, the difficult decision was taken to move her into Orchard View Gardens where she would be well cared for and close to Gord. Once settled into her new living environment, Araina immediately became someone whose smile and friendly nature would warm the hearts of both staff and fellow residents. Gord visited her daily and they enjoyed the many activities from outdoor walks, Dancing with Parkinsons classes, musical presentations and of course, Happy Hour with her Spicy Caesar!
The family would like to express its sincere gratitude to the whole Orchard View family who treated Araina with care and kindness and provided a loving and nourishing environment where she felt safe and secure.
Araina leaves behind a legacy of kindness, dedication and lifelong learning. She was an inspiration to all who knew her, and her impact on the Almonte community will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.
For those who wish, donations in memoriam can be made to either the Home Hospice North Lanark or the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Almonte United Church, 106 Elgin Street, Almonte on Saturday January 10th at 11am, with a reception to follow in the Church Hall.
Arrangements Entrusted Into the Care of
C.R. Gamble Funeral Home & Chapel Inc.
(127 Church St. Almonte, ON. 613-256-3313)
Condolences & Tributes: www.crgamble.com
