Ellen (Helen) Corbeil- Clarke, passed away on June 18, 2020. After an exceptionally long and courageous battle with cancer.
It would be wrong to say that Ellen lost her battle because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she was determined. Through her we know what courage, resilience, and perseverance truly look like. There was no quit in Ellen. Just because she is no longer here, it does not mean she lost her fight. This was her approach to everything in life and her unmatched passion was the fuel that ignited her interests. Whether she was playing cards with various groups, such as her decades long first Wednesday of the month bridge group or euchre with her family and friends-“quarter, quarter,quarter”, or her Involvement with Northminster United Church of Oshawa, knitting scarves for the church bazar or sandwiches and squares for various events she gave it her all and didn’t hold back.
Her involvement with the Probus Club of Oshawa was a source of great pride and enjoyment for her. For many years she was the organizer for their monthly speakers- a task she took on with zeal and determination. Ellen was deeply satisfied when the presenters she had chosen were received well. For Ellen Probus became not only a wonderful social group, but also a family and lifestyle. The many excursions, travels, group meetings, events, and the people she enjoyed these things with, meant the world to her.
Ellen’s biggest passion in life, aside from her family, was her long and venerated career in hairstyling. Ellen took a wholistic approach to her vocation. It was not ever just about a hairdo for Ellen, her clients were her family and she cared deeply about all aspects of their life. Often people would come in for a hair appointment and leave feeling like a million bucks with their hair done, make-up, clothes, jewellery, resources, and contacts for everything imaginable including home renovation and design. She always had a compassionate ear and would listen deeply without judgment about peoples lives and equally share about her own- it was an open policy. Ellen would tell it to you straight and she would often say “don’t ask me a question if you’re not prepared to hear the truth of it”.
Ellen was the matriarch of her family, the last of her generation. She was predeceased by her husbands Prosper ‘Corby’ Corbeil, and Llyod Clarke, and only sister Jean Tonkin. Ellen is survived by her two children Gary Corbeil (spouse Lisa) and Lisa Corbeil (partner Gilles). Her five grandchildren, Kristian, Robyn, Leah, Brent, and Gavin. Her four great-grand-children and many Nieces and Nephews, whom she loved and adored.
In lieu of world events, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
It was Ellen’s wish that any memoriam donations be given to the Cancer Clinic at Lakeridge Hospital Oshawa: https://lakeridgehealthfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/givenow/donations/start?it=1&amt=25
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Fund Allocation: Cancer Care