Grand farewell planned for tasered great-gran Clare Nowland who lived an ‘extraordinary life’
Hundreds of mourners are expected to farewell Cooma great-grandmother and much-loved community member Clare Nowland.
NSW
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Great-grandmother and much-loved community member Clare Nowland will be farewelled in a “grand celebration” which focuses on her extraordinary life and not the tragic way in which she died.
Mrs Nowland, 95, suffered head injuries and never regained consciousness when she was tasered by police at a Cooma nursing home on May 17.
She died a week later in Cooma Hospital, surrounded by her eight children.
Parish priest of St Patrick’s Catholic Church and close friend of Mrs Nowland said her funeral service to be held on June 13 would focus on her “extraordinary life” rather than the tragic circumstances surrounding her death.
“Throughout her long life her faith was always so important to her … and of course, her large family,” Fr Croker said.
He said Mrs Nowland had a passion for helping others, and was instrumental in setting up the local St Vincent de Paul shop in the town.
“She was a very smart lady, always helping people … she would go each week, when her health was better, and feed the residents at a local nursing home.”
Fr Croker said Mrs Nowland’s large family were focused on making the funeral a grand celebration.
“It will be a very big funeral, no doubt … and that’s the family’s request that it’s a wonderful celebration of her life,” he said.
Mrs Nowland had 23 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren who will be among hundreds of mourners expected at the funeral, which will be held at St Patrick’s Church, from 11am.
NSW Police Senior constable Kristian White, 33, was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
He is due to face Cooma Local Court on 5 July.
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