Obituary of Clara S. Kilpatrick

Clara Staley Kilpatrick, 87, of 16 Brightman Street, Nelliston, New York, joined our Lord December 29, 2009. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Clara passed away at Saint Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam, after a short illness. No kinder, sweeter, more generous person ever dwelled on Earth. She is greatly loved and sorely missed. Born on July 30, 1922 at Saint Mary's, Clara was the eldest daughter of the late Levern J. and Ethel (Claus) Staley. A 1939 graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School, she was married to the late R. Hilton Kilpatrick on March 1, 1941. Her chief (and most loved) full-time occupation was as wife and mother to David (Janis) of Canajoharie; Robert of Rochester; Clare of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania; Cherie Lyn (deceased) and Lance (Judith) of Kensington, Maryland. She also engaged in an eclectic professional career that included work as a postal clerk, village tax collector, retail sales clerk and school food service employee. Because of her decades-long role as Nelliston village tax collector, but mostly due to her warm, welcoming personality and constant supply of tea and baked goods, Clara was a generous hostess and conversationalist to friends and neighbors year round - a role she fulfilled right up to her hospital admittance. In addition to her children, Clara was grandmother to David (Lisa), Eva, Seana, Erin, Aidan, Sachiel (deceased) and Carolyn Clare; and great-grandmother to Dylan, Honor, Alexis, Chelsey and Michael. She is also survived by her sisters, Sheila Smith of Auriesville, Margaret Eastman of Oneida, and Dorothy Lilley of Sprakers; and numerous nieces, nephews and other dear family and friends.