Obituary of Clara Amanda Bowden

Clara Amanda Bowden

August 17, 1926- January 29, 2024

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Clara, a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend to all the lives she touched. She left us peacefully at her residence in Dunrovin Park Lodge in Quesnel on January 29, 2024

Clara was in her 97^th year of life.

Clara was born in Burnaby B.C. to Tom and Elizabeth Ward. Clara was one of fourteen children out of whom only ten survived. At the age of two the family moved to Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. By the time twelve years had passed Clara’s father has taught his children to play an instrument. (The Ward Family Band) Clara played the slide trombone. In the Hungry 1930’s the family orchestra traveled across Canada playing music and making a living.

Clara met Daniel (Hap) her husband in 1948, while she was employed at Safeway, it was love at first sight. They married in 1949 and in 1951 they headed north in search of a new life. They settled in Quesnel, little could they have imagined what an unbelievable adventure was in store for them!

In 1952 they purchased some acreage in Beaver Mouth, 32 miles southeast of Quesnel. Clearing the land and building their own home and many cabins, they started a guiding business known as Cariboo Mountain Outfitters.

Twenty-four years of guiding Clara and Hap decided it was time to try their hands at commercial fishing and moved to the west coast but after two years of fishing, the Caribou was calling them back

In 1981 they purchased a mining lease on the Quesnel River where they built a new home. The next 30 years Clara worked daily along side her husband mining, trapping, building airplanes and sawmilling. In her spare time, she would do what she loved best; vegetable gardening, fowler beds, canning, knitting, sewing and making homemade beer and wine, this list just goes on and on…

Time was precious to Calara with her grandchildren. Together the made pull toffee, homemade root beer, ginger beer and baking up a storm

Clara’s favorite outside activities with her grandchildren were berry picking, pedal biking, walks down the airstrip and throwing sticks for the dog.

These memories her grandchildren will cherish forever.

After her amazing life of living in the woods and now both in their 80s it was time to move to town to be closer to family.

She will be dearly missed and will forever remain in our hearts.

Clara’s request: Don’t cry for me now, don’t cry for me ever. For I will do nothing for ever and ever.

The family would like to thank Dunrovin Park Lodge (Maple House) for the past 10 years of care they gave Clara

At Clara’s request there will be no service

Predeceased by her loving husband Daniel (Hap) Bowden

Survived by: Sons Brad (Lori), Ab (Linda)

Grandchildren: Alena, Mitchell, Carrie, Reanna, Jesse and Riley.

Great Grandchildren: Mason, Cadence, Tali, Julia, Jacob, Avery, Bentley, Brinley, Hudson