Claire Irene Pierson

Claire Irene Pierson, the world’s best mom, best cook, and best friend, departed this world on June 30, 2026 at the age of 88, leaving behind a life well lived.

Claire was born on January 30, 1938, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Claire Leslie Nicholson and Irene Clendannan Smith. Together they had five children.

She was married for 68 years to her husband, Joseph Theophile Denis Louis Pierson. Together, they had four children.

Claire filled her life with the things she loved most: family, and friends. She especially enjoyed traveling to Arizona and making memories through simple pleasures shared with others. Cooking was one of Claire’s great joys. She collected recipes in emails and recipe books, planned meals with care, and was always ready for company. Above all, she loved to feed people and make them feel welcome.

Her many interests included curling, cards, ceramics, puzzles, games, gardening, shopping, fishing, and time with family and friends.

Claire loved flowers, a little retail therapy, and a well-equipped kitchen. She was famous for giving away kitchen appliances with a casual, “Oh, I don’t use this,” only for visitors to discover on their next visit that the newest version had taken pride of place on the countertop. Her “Appliance garage” became legendary in the family—and it drove Denis crazy.

Claire had strong feelings about deer, gophers, and geese—especially when they threatened her garden. In time, she made a small exception for one gopher after it began digging in areas she approved of and brought up rich black soil. Finding ways to keep deer and other creatures out of the garden became one of her driving missions in recent years.

Claire held many jobs throughout her life, waitress, drive-in worker, bank teller, Safeway cashier, and long-distance operator. She later started her own ceramics business and continued to build it keeping Denis busy along the way. After wrapping up the ceramics business, she became a bookkeeper. When the Lake House was being built, she traveled north.

Having grown up with a nomadic childhood, Claire continued that spirit of movement throughout her life with Denis, living in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and finally coming home to BC. They always came back to Lawrence Beach – first to the Martins’ cabin – Uncle Brian, Great Auntie Pat and Cheryl and Shannon – and then to Gramma and Grampa Nicks’ cabin.

With hard work and time that cabin morphed into their dream home. At the lake, they made life- long friends, their family gathered for many great celebrations and they built the life they wanted.

There will be a Celebration of Claire’s life July 25, 2026 at her home from 1-4 pm Bring a memory please.

If you wish, Make a donation in Claire’s name to your favourite charity in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-558-0866

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: