Clara Wells, a long-standing member of the Fogo Island community and a devoted family matriarch, died peacefully on Aug. 30, 2026, at the James Paton Memorial Hospital. She was 87.
Family, friends gather to remember a life well lived
Wells was predeceased by her husband, Leslie; her parents, Netta and Hector; brothers Joe and Fred; and grandsons Mark and Bradley Payne. Her surviving family includes five children and a broad circle of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who, according to the family notice, remain central to her memory.
Those listed by the family as mourning her loss are children Dale (Abel) Payne, Sharon (Frank) Patey, Jerry Wells, Pauline (Rex) Brown and Wayne Wells. Grandchildren include Stephanie, Candace, Todd, Courtney, Daniel, Melissa, Paige and Kylie. Her great-grandchildren include Mason, Maxx, Oliver, Nixon and Dillon.
"Mom (Clara) was such an amazing woman. She loved all her children and grandchildren with her whole heart. She had a huge circle of friends.... She was herself in every form until she passed. We are so grateful that she died peacefully and never suffered. We love you very much mom… you are and will be greatly missed."
Visitation and funeral arrangements
Visitation is scheduled to take place at Fogo Island Funeral Home on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service details are to be announced. Funeral care has been entrusted to Nathan Buffett of Fogo Island Funeral Home.
| Event | Location | Date & Time |
|---|---|---|
| Visitation | Fogo Island Funeral Home | Wednesday, Sept. 2 — 7:00–9:00 p.m. |
| Funeral service | To be announced | To be announced |
Community roots and the reach of a family circle
Obituaries such as this one provide a brief but telling sketch of a life woven into a community. The names listed speak to close family ties that reach across generations and into the neighbourhoods and kitchens of Fogo Island and surrounding areas. The family’s message emphasises Wells’s role as a teacher of life lessons and as someone who maintained a wide friendship network.
For many in small Newfoundland communities, a person's passing is marked not just by immediate mourning, but by the sharing of stories and customs that have been handed down. In this case, the family’s public note highlights gratitude that Wells’s final hours were calm and without suffering — a solace often sought by those with elderly relatives.
Practical information for friends and neighbours: those who wish to send condolences or floral tributes can contact Fogo Island Funeral Home. The funeral home will also post updates on service arrangements when they are finalised.
The family has entrusted arrangements to Nathan Buffett of Fogo Island Funeral Home. Further information, including any livestream or service specifics, will be provided as details become available.
In a region where community ties run deep, notices like this bring neighbours together in remembrance. The family’s words make clear the impression Clara Wells left on those closest to her: a woman who loved fiercely and lived true to herself until the end.
WE NEWS extends condolences to the Wells family and to all who counted her as friend and kin.
