Clara Martha Mentzelopoulos

Clara Martha Mentzelopoulos graced the world at day break on

March 9th, 1990 to the absolute delight of her Mama (Colleen),

Baba (Tasos), brothers (Tommy and Teddy), and sister (Reenie).

She was the baby of the family but was determined from the very beginning never to be left behind. She was often the first to the top of the mountain, and later always tried to be the first new fire recruit to complete a challenge. Clara's unwavering determination and drive to succeed could be seen in most everything she set out to do.

Like her siblings before her, and from a young age, she was serving tables, arm deep in pizza dough and dishes, and shuffling pizzas in the ovens at her family's restaurant, Athena Pizza. She studied Archaeology at the University of Calgary but soon after graduation turned her gaze in another direction - to help save lives. She went

to SAIT, became an EMT, and then joined the Banff Fire Department. She volunteered at the Banff hospital playing piano, reading to, and feeding long term care patients.

Her spirit was luminous and her heart never discriminated. She was quick to extend her strong but gentle hand to anyone in need.

She had an incredible ability to make all those around her feel loved, appreciated and safe.Our Clara had a great love for exploring the surroundings of her hometown and beyond. Rarely did a week pass without her skiing into a backcountry hut, bagging a route, or running up a mountain ahead of a group of breathless friends or family members. She spent many hours at the Banff Centre climbing gym teaching kids the ropes and encouraging them to reach ever greater heights. If you were in her presence you knew you were in for something amazing and memorable. You could also expect to be a little sore and tired the next day. She adored her nephew Oliver and niece Pippa. Clara immediately welcomed Jayme Doll (Tommy), Adam Gardner (Reenie), and Carlie Gagnon (Teddy) into her heart as though they had always been her brother and sisters.

She didn't wait for life to happen, she made it happen. She had a passion for beautiful music, books, travel and adventure. She never shied away from exploring and embracing new opportunities. She loved her family fiercely and spoke of her siblings with so much pride and admiration. She looked up to each of her family members and took on their best traits, becoming a paragon of light, love, and strength.

Last spring Clara packed up her Volkswagen and left Banff behind.

She headed east into the Whiteshell in Manitoba. There she spent the summer months working at a lake resort forging forever friendships and drinking up the simplicities of living in nature. She not only fell in love with her surroundings but found her love, Robert Ewanchuk, there as well. She described the past twelve months as "the year of her life."

It is so hard to believe that it was also her last.

We will miss her trademark smile, infectious determination, quick wit and warm hugs. She is truly irreplaceable. Clara leaves behind her parents and siblings, niece and nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins,

and an army of friends. She now joins those who have gone before her: Grandpa Bud; Papou, Yiaya and Nick Mentzelopoulos; and

Aunty Margaret Higginbottom.

Her sudden passing has left our hearts shattered. It was a privilege to walk beside Clara for 28 years and we will be forever grateful to have had her in our lives. So it goes.

A celebration of life was held at the Kinnear Center

at the Banff School of Fine Arts on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Sincere thanks and appreciation to the Banff Centre for assisting

with all their help in facilitating the memorial tribute to Clara.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.