Clara’s Story

Site created on May 8, 2019

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


In September of 2018 Clara was re-diagnosed with the same strain of breast cancer that she beat 22 years ago. One of the cells had hidden out in her body and showed up in her spine, liver and pelvis. In April of 2019 Clara was hospitalized for high levels of calcium and potassium which caused confusion and weakness. She was released and was home for a couple of weeks before being admitted again for a week. Clara is once again at home with her husband Roy. Their daughter, Lynn, has come from Anchorage to help out for as long as possible and her oldest granddaughter Alexandria was able to come from California for a week.  Roy and Clara's youngest granddaughter, Serena, and great-grandson, Milian, live in their home. 


At this time Clara is on a hormone therapy which we had hoped would slow the cancer progression. The cancer is, unfortunately, moving fairly quickly throughout her body. The doctors have found very, very small spots in her brain and one in her lungs.  We do have a home-care nurse that comes to visit a couple of times a week and also a home-care assistant, a physical therapist and a speech therapist. Her doctor has been making house calls.  Clara has an appointment with her Oncologist on May 16 and after that appointment we can provide another update. 


We are so appreciative of all your calls, texts and visits. My mom, Clara, is very loved.  Please be aware that we are having to limit visitation at this point per doctor's orders. We ask that you call before coming over and please do not visit if you are ill.  

Newest Update

Journal entry by Lynn Coffee

Clara Ruth Willems Martin was born near Waldheim, Saskatchewan, Canada on February 16, 1931. She graduated from nursing school in 1951 and moved to California where she worked at Stanford Hospital. While there, she met Roy Martin and they married on August 24, 1962. They moved to Juneau, Alaska in 1965 where Clara worked as a nurse until her retirement. Clara is known as a compassionate and caring woman who shared her love for Christ with everyone she met. She loved to travel with her family and spend time fellowshipping with her many friends. She was a talented artist who loved to play piano and sing praises.
On May 24, 2019, Clara peacefully slipped away at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Agatha Willems and her brothers Wesley and Arnold Willems. She is survived by her husband Roy Martin, their daughter Lynn Coffee, granddaughters Alexandria Martin-Drazkowski and Serena Drazkowski and great-grandson, Milian Mitchell as well as several nieces and nephews.  
A memorial service will be held on July 14, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at Chapel by the Lake Church.
Special thanks to Dr. Cook, Dr. Weiden, Melissa and the rest of the staff at Hospice and Homecare. We would also like to thank Janet Thrower, Judy Weske and Joyce Van Sickle who helped care for Clara, Roy and Lynn during our time of need.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating to Hospice and Homecare of Juneau.

 

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