Clara Mahabir (Michailoff) was born on March 25th, 1926 in the City of Toronto at 1290 Queen Street East near the Beaches District; an area she would come to love while growing up. Though born of a prominent Macedonian family, she would often describe herself as a ‘butcher’s daughter”; and for all practical sense, she was; born above the shop at 1290. Her parents were Samuel (Sotir Spas) and Alexandra Michailoff, heralding from Drenoveni and Gabresh in Greek occupied Macedonia. Sotir Michailoff, yielding of deposed nobility going between Bulgaria and Russia, came to Canada in 1920 after the turmoil of the Balkan Wars and First World War. Shortly after establishment, Alexandra came to join her husband.

Clara’s father was a community leader, being involved in committee movements for the independence of Macedonia and the promotion of diaspora activities in the region. Later, like many relatives in the community, he became a business man; owning a butcher shop, extensive real-estate holdings and investment interest in restaurants. Like most in the community, Clara’s parents worked hard; and the work ethic passed on to their children.

Clara went through life with two brothers; Victor (with Ada), pre deceasing in 1978 and survived by Carl (with Trudy) to present. She went to high school with her brother Victor and Cousins John Bitove, Milka Bitove, Chris Stavro and Steve Stavro at Riverdale Collegiate. Until her dying day, Clara would reminisce (and slightly boast) of her bronzed medallion coin given her for perfect attendance! As life progressed, the family lived in the beaches area on Silverbirch Avenue, where Clara began to come of age with friends and cousins and social surroundings. She became known to be an enigma within the community of strict tradition and in a way, the first suffragette of the young female Macedonian element in Toronto; a personification and principled demeanour she would carry throughout her life, while always claiming to be a strong and independent woman.

Clara found eventual career and work with the Library Services of Toronto; where she would rise to become the supervisor of communications and through said position gain many respected lifelong friends through her colleagues before retiring after twenty-five years.
Clara became known as a great singer, as it was one of her passions. She had performed at an opera and other small venues. It was her dream to continue in this endeavour into a career despite her family’s traditional expectations; though the latter eventually prevailed.

Clara had married young and later divorced, to Theodore Johnson (Pagoincheff); and with her marriage, a daughter Sandra Lynn; mother to Gregory Dean and Kevin, her grandsons. A later marriage engagement to a coveted love ended in death, through a terrible car accident; a damage which took a great toll on Clara, ever affecting her. As she progressed in her career and raised her daughter, Clara became an avid bowler in her local community in East and North York; winning several trophies, both with a team and individually. Her social demeanour was popular and revolved among several groups of society and gatherings.

In 1971, she married Torrance Ramjass Mahabir, a gentleman of prominence and prestige from Trinidad and Tobago. Torrance, a well-educated architectural engineer was often described by Clara as being compared to the distinguished actor “Omar Sharif” in character and looks. Clara and Torrance carried and led the operation of business ventures from their private home. They enjoyed local travel and fishing in the northern lakes of Ontario. Torrance was President and CEO of an international contract and engineering company, which Clara assisted and supported as he traveled the world negotiating and leading various projects. The business ventures included entertaining and hosting business guests to Toronto. Clara, being an avid self-taught chef of many cuisines, would prepare multi coursed meals for many distinguished guests; inclusive of Presidents and Government Officials alike as well as Partner Company CEO’s and family; her cooking and presentation was precise, pristine and comparable to any world class culinary project as a “State’s Dinner” venue.

When Clara was not entertaining her family and the world; her greatest passion was gardening. Gardening was her art, and it was deftly apparent around her home, which she took great effort in enhancing with her skills. Her creativity never went un-noticed. On two occasions, wedding parties had randomly stopped to use her two teared rock gardened and manicured front yard as a back drop for photographs. Often, the backyard gardens served to provide the fresh and spiced ingredients for any meal being prepared in her kitchen; and the pride in her perfection impressed and inspired the profession of current exclusive executive chefs, including her own grandson Kevin D. Birch.

Clara had for many years held physical fitness as something most important; and in doing so, became a Yoga enthusiast. Clara was often complimented on looking younger than her years; and she would always credit said complements to her time spent working out and eating healthy. This philosophy helped serve to give her longevity and independence in old age. Clara reluctantly progressed into home care and eventually community long term care in her far later years out of necessity. Even then, in community care, she took up a crusade to better the living environment and demand improvement in the community care venue. As she was always known to be outspoken, she would voice her constructive concerns and advisement to her care givers and her family; prompting her grandson Dean, to become the Family Council President of the Nursing Home she and her husband resided in. Always the crusader, she would ensure a certain standard was maintained, not only for her but for her fellow residents as well. She took up a daily detailed maintenance on Canadian and American politics; and in turn, ensured that everyone she knew heard her views on all matters involved. Despite her energy and drive for life, Clara had many ailments which complicated and hindered her long used to and granted independence. The difficulty of accepting daily care assistance was foreign to her; and though she had those favorite persons that well provided for her, she resented having to be helped for anything.

Clara passed on July 4th, 2017. She had always been adamant on not having a viewing or a funeral while vehemently stating,:
“I don’t want anyone looking at me when I’m dead; people look horrible when they’re dead and I don’t want anyone to look at –ME!”
She wished to be cremated. Clara’s ashes were spread into the Kawartha Lakes water ways in late July 2017; the places in which she was most relaxed and happy; and where her most profound memories were spoken of by her.

Clara is survived by her husband Torrance Mahabir; brother Carl (Trudy); daughter Sandra (Raymond); grandsons Dean (Harriet) and Kevin (Robyn); as well as daughters of pre deceased brother Victor (Ada) Susan and Patricia. Great thanks go to the Rockcliffe Community Care Centre, its Administration and Staff; most notably Matthew, Charlene, Ken, Esther, RN Floria, Dolly, Dr. Faruda, Sharda and all others of any assistance in providing care and comfort to Clara.

"Happy Birthday to our Nana! and though she was not a religious person; by virtue of her good ways; she is with a greater life beyond and remembered"