Born in Stenen, Saskatchewan in 1925 to immigrant parents from the Ukraine, Carol was one of twelve children. Like many Canadians during the great depression, Carol’s family struggled financially, and at just 13 years old, she left home looking for a way to escape the poverty. Shortly after Carol joined the Armed Forces. Serving in the Army as a driver and a cook, Carol remembers, “I liked to cook, and I was a good cook.” While the memories of her time in the army are hard to recall, we are reminded of her service with her photo in her memory box outside of her room.
Following her time in the Army, Carol lived in Vancouver working as a waitress. It was then she met her husband, Charles T Cluff. Char, as he was lovingly called, proposed to Carol onboard the HMCS Ontario. They married on May 15, 1948, in Esquimalt. Carol and Char adopted twin boys, Pat and Pete. Carol also fostered children while her husband was away at sea. Following Char’s retirement from the Navy in the 1960s, the two settled in Victoria and operated the Little Gem Grocery store in James Bay. Sadly, in 1969 Char passed away at the age of 47 due to Cancer. Carol continued to run the grocery store for several years following his death.
Never remarrying, Carol put her life’s focus into her family and volunteerism. For many years, she devoted her time to the Navy Thrift shop in Esquimalt. In later years, she even volunteered at Veterans Memorial Lodge in the gift shop. Now a resident at the Lodge, Carol’s room is just a few doors down from where she volunteered over 20 years ago. When asked why she dedicated so much of her life to volunteering Carol replied, “It was the freedom, making friendships and the people. I met so many wonderful people.” Carol not only gave of her time to various organizations in Victoria, but in an amazing turn of events a large financial gift! In 1976, she donated a Western Canada Lottery ticket she purchased to the Victoria Police Benevolent Fund. That lucky ticket turned into a $250,000 donation!
Carol’s large family is spread out across Canada. At 97 years old, she has outlived all of her siblings, her two sons, and cherished friends. Carol holds onto those memories with pictures on the walls in her room. It seems each wall in her room has a story to tell – like the special posters from the Victoria Ballet. Carol’s nephew, Jim, who lives in Northern BC shared a bit of the story, “‘My son performed with the Victoria Ballet for about four years before moving on to Les Grand Ballet in Montreal’. Carol, and her late friend Heather, were often in attendance at Matthew’s shows in Victoria. You can tell she still has a soft spot for him by all of the posters of him that are in her room.”
While Carol’s memories of her time in the Canadian Army have faded, what still shines brightly is her love for her family and life in Victoria. Her dedication to Country and community is inspiring and it is our honour to be able to serve Carol while she lives at Broadmead Care’s Veterans Memorial Lodge.
It is an honour to be able to serve Carol during their time living at Broadmead Care
You can help support veterans and seniors living at Veterans Memorial Lodge, ensuring they have the best in comfort and care by making a donation today.
*** In the early hours of June 17, 2023, Carol passed away. Like all Canadian and allied veterans, Carol gave up so much so that we can enjoy the freedom we have today. It was our honour to serve Carol during her time living at Veterans Memorial Lodge, a Broadmead Care Home.
