It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Claire Seymour-James on Sunday July 3, 2022, aged 84 years. We are grateful that she transitioned to her heavenly reward in peaceful serenity, surrounded by love, and in the comfort of her home. We will forever cherish our precious memories of her and celebrate her life and legacy.

Claire was born to the late Elsie and Philford Seymour on October 22, 1937 in Port of Spain, Trinidad. She is survived by her two adoring children and their spouses: Paula (husband Jerome Ashby) and Lennox (Lenny) (wife Natasha James). She is also survived by her loving siblings Vilma, Francis and Ancil, and her cherished grandchildren Jordan and Dante. Claire is predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Lennox James (2017), brothers Selwyn, Tony, Andre (Bobby) and Michael, sister Lynette and twin sister Claudette. Claire leaves behind many beloved family and friends who will fondly remember her with affection.

On March 22, 1960, Claire left Trinidad by sea to commence her studies as a Registered Nurse at St Andrews College in London, England. There, she earned her degree in Nursing and spent the next 5 years enjoying her career while going on traveling adventures throughout Europe. Many of her lifelong friends were people she met during her time in England. In 1965, new opportunities brought her to Toronto, Canada where she furthered her education in Public Health Nursing (PHN) at the University of Toronto. As a Registered Nurse, Claire worked for healthcare organizations in the Greater Toronto Area including the newborn care unit at Toronto East General Hospital, the former City of York as a PHN, and at Providence Healthcare.

After settling in Canada, Claire spent the next four decades as the matriarch of the family, raising her kids while working hard and sponsoring several members of her family and family friends to migrate to Canada. Claire also returned to Trinidad with her family for a time, to allow her children to experience the pride she felt for her Trinidadian heritage. She presided over a welcoming home, hosting get-togethers for family and friends, while passionately sharing her political opinions, as well as the plants and vegetables she grew in her garden. Claire volunteered with a number of charitable, cultural and political organizations over the years, including the Lions Club and the Red Cross to name a few. The number of lives she touched in her personal life as well as her professional career were driven by the joy and purpose she found in helping others achieve a better life. Claire was a thoughtful, hardworking, intelligent, and loving person who touched everyone she came across.

To honour Claire’s outstanding life and legacy, a viewing will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 11:00am at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, followed by the service at 12:00pm and a reception immediately thereafter. A private cremation will be held in the interim with close family and friends at the Mount Pleasant Crematorium. A link to livestream the service will be available at the top of this page at approximately 11:45 am. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests a donation to your favourite charity in Claire’s honour.