Obituary of Linda Diane VanClief
Linda Diane Vanclief (nee Matcheski), age 73, of Plympton, passed away on February 21, 2024, at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital in the presence of loving family members. She was the daughter of Wella Rudkowski and the late Lorne Matcheski.
Linda was born in Burford, Ontario and spent a large majority of her early life there. Helping others was to be Linda’s life mission. She pursued a career in nursing, practicing both in the United States and in Canada. After the birth of their three children, Linda and her loving partner, Jim, moved their family to Nova Scotia. Upon their arrival, they purchased a large old farmhouse, where they provided a safe haven for women who were experiencing abusive situations and for foster children of all ages.
They lovingly fostered over 50 children during their tenure as a foster family and were featured in a National Film Board of Canada documentary in 1989 entitled “Nicholas” about a child in their care. They also served as mentors to other foster parents and were active members of the Digby County Foster Family Association & the Federation of Foster Families of Nova Scotia. Linda also sat on the Provincial Foster Parent Recruitment and Awareness committee and she and Jim received the Peck Family award for outstanding achievements in Fostering in Digby County. Due to their amazing work in the fostering world, they were nominated for the Order of Nova Scotia and for the Child Welfare League of Canada Outstanding Award for fostering.
In keeping with her passion for working with families, Linda was instrumental in helping develop the Digby Family Resource Center and served as a board member for a time.
Linda was well known for her gift of gab, her open door (for anyone who needed it) and for her amazing culinary skills. She loved thrifting and could never resist a good deal. She will be greatly missed by many.
Linda is survived by her children, Aaron (Janelle Comeau), Jamy (Tyler Bissonette), Michelle Moulton (Russell Barr), Crystal Mills (Roger Smith); grandchildren, Arielle Comeau (Brian Jones), Juliette Mullen, Anya Vanclief, Austin Mills and Gavin Mills; and great grandson, Elliot Comeau-Jones. She is also survived by her mom, Wella Rudkowski; sisters, Lorna (Brian) Bosnell, Brenda (Tom) Van Kooten, Debbie (Eric) Dombroskie, and Lisa (John) Strack; brother, Reginald Matcheski; sisters-in-law, Norma Porlier, Judy Matcheski; and many loving nieces and nephews as well as great (and great great) nieces and nephews.
In addition to her father, Linda was predeceased by her stepfather, Ted Rudkowski; husband, James Vanclief; daughter, Erica Vanclief; brother, Dale Matcheski; and sisters-in-law, Gina Crewson and Jacqueline Hatkowski.
The family would like to thank the Yarmouth Regional Hospital, Valley Regional Hospital, and Digby General Hospital, for the amazing care that was provided to Linda. A special thanks goes out to the doctors and staff of 3 South and 4 North at the Yarmouth Hospital for making her last days comfortable and for helping the family through the process.
A Celebration of Life in Ontario will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Federation of Foster Families of Nova Scotia (Federation of Foster Families of Nova Scotia, 99 Wyse Rd, Dartmouth, NS B3A 4S5) or Yarmouth Hospital Foundation in care of the Mental Health and Addictions Program (www.yarmouthhospitalfoundation.ca or Yarmouth Hospital Foundation PO Box 7, Yarmouth, NS B5A 4B1). Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).
