Marcia Ruth James Clement

Marcia Ruth James Clement, 74, beloved mother, aunt, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on October 5, 2025, surrounded by family. Born October 9, 1950, in Lachine, Quebec, Marcia’s life was a testament to her deeply held values of family, friendship, community and hard work.

Marcia moved to Ottawa in 1972 after graduating from McGill University with an Honours degree in Economics. She had a long and successful career in the federal public service, primarily in the area of human resources policies. Upon retirement she served on the board of her condominium and was a member of several committees with the aim of creating a community feeling within the building.

Marcia had many interests, talents, and hobbies, which included photography, travelling, reading, swimming, and a love for crafting and sewing. She had a passion for genealogy and in addition to documenting her own family histories, she volunteered as part of a project documenting the lives of soldiers who died at the No. 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station in World War 1.

The loss of Marcia will be deeply felt by many.

She stood at the centre of an extended family that gathers in Ottawa which includes her three children Colin Lalonde, Leanne Lalonde and husband Kevin Norris, Vanessa Lalonde and partner James Johnstone, her nephew and nieces Robb Fleming and wife Tiffany Renaud-Fleming, Paisley and Shannon Fleming, her grandchildren and great nieces Margaret and Ainsley Norris, Madison and Mya Lackey, and Samantha Johnstone, as well as Brian and Marion Norris, and Jordan Maslowski.

She was cherished by dear friends Mimi, Pat, Mary Lou, Cheryl, and sisters-in-law Barbara Clement (wife of brother Stephen, predeceased) and Jane Lalonde (husband Mark Osterman), and many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her former spouse Rowan Lalonde.

Marcia is predeceased by her parents Robert and Sylvia Clement, her siblings Stephen Clement and Susan Fleming, and close friend Frances.

The family takes this opportunity to especially thank the many friendship circles that brought Marcia so much joy – including the women of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women, her former colleagues from the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada, and the members of her photography group.

Cremation has taken place and a private family service will follow. A Celebration of Life will take place in the spring and will be open to all who wish to join together and celebrate a wonderful life shared with Marcia. 

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Huntington Society of Canada, or the United Way East Ontario.