Obituary of Barbara Claire Hewson

Barbara Claire Hewson (née Johnston) passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 8, 2026. She was predeceased by her parents Evelyn (Rice) Johnston and Dr. Frederick Blaney Johnston, and by her brother-in-law John Gilliland. She was raised in Ottawa and had passion for singing in her church’s choir and local productions.

She attended Glebe collegiate institute in Ottawa. Her professional life took her to California, where she was tasked with setting up, and running, the new operation for the Canadian company Boreal Laboratories.
Claire had a love of cats, gardening, and being outside at the cottage. Claire also loved music, achieving grade 8 in piano studies, and was part of the Toronto Mendelssohn choir for 18 years. The choir toured Europe for 3 weeks in early 1972 and sang at the Royal Albert Hall. She was always up for a chat about any type of music, and programs, she had recently heard or seen on CBC or PBS.

She is survived by her two children, Vikki Um (née Hewson), her husband Greg and their two children, Iain and Eryn, and by her son Blaine Hewson, his wife Jeanette and their two children, Scott and Andrew, and by her sister Dr. Laura Johnston.

Claire could always be counted on to take her children to every game, practice, and tournament, regardless of time of day or geography. She always made sure her children felt loved and that she was connected to their lives.

A small celebration of life will be held for Claire in May, 2026.