Marie Aimée Claire McQuhae (neé Côté) passed away peacefully on 14 June 2023 at the Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa. She was born in Ottawa on 25 October 1936, attended an all-girls Catholic school and upon graduation, entered the University of Ottawa Nursing Program. Graduating in 1958 as a Registered Nurse, she began her career working with the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa. She joined the Royal Canadian Airforce in May of 1960 and served until May of 1963.
Married for 60 years to husband, Keith, they had 4 children, sons Michael and Donald, and daughter Patricia. Sadly, daughter Jessica was taken from us at 14 months of age.
Claire worked as a nurse both full and part time wherever the Airforce posted Keith. She spent the last 12 years of her career as an ICU nurse in the Ottawa Hospital, Riverside campus, retiring in 1995.
A talented crafter, she attended many shows with her dried flower arrangements. She enjoyed painting and drawing, worked with stained glass, and was an avid card maker, creating scores of cards for every occasion.
As well as her husband Keith, and children Michael (Audrey), Donald, and Patricia (Dave), she is survived by granddaughters Sierra (Derek) and Sydney; grandsons Brent and Connor; great-granddaughter Isla; and her siblings Robert Côté and Claudette (Phil) Taylor. She was predeceased by her parents, Edmond and Marie-Aimée Côté; her sister Françoise and her brother Louis.
There will be no visitation at Claire’s request. Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held in July at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, in Ottawa. Claire’s interment in the National Military Cemetery will be delayed until Claire and Keith can be buried together.
Donations in Claire’s memory may be made to her favourite charity, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation.
Au revoir ma chère Claire.
Digital Guestbook
Victor & Helen Lukawitski
Share Taylor
A piece of my heart is gone. One of the sweetest, kindest women I've been blessed to call family has her angel wings. Claire is now with past loving family members, her best friend, and her baby girl. She is free of pain and suffering. Het beautiful light and live shines down on us all. God bless you Aunt Claire. Rest in peace. I'll see you again.
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Janet J McQuhae, Patricia Kennedy
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family. We are so glad we got to visit with you and Claire earlier this year. She will be missed by everyone.
Lori Gordon
My deepest condolences to Claire's family.
I worked with Claire at the Riverside Hospital and continued to share time with her after she retired at our regular lunches for a number of years. I remember her fondly♥️
Leonard and Serena
Both my husband and I moved to Ottawa from Toronto after my retirement. We had only our son's family in Ottawa. We were so blessed to get to know Keith and Claire.
Claire, our very, very good friend who had a heart of gold was very talented in art and craft.
Thanks to Claire, our days were so fulfilling then! We enjoyed our swimming outings, card-making sessions and shows and movies that were always preceded by a delicious meal.
Claire was my gentle guide, cheerful companion and motherly mentor. We treasured our friendship a lot.
She will be dearly missed.
May God bless her always. ❤ Serena and Leonard
Our Condolences to the McQuhae Family.