NORWICH – Clara S. McLagan, 97, of Norwich, passed away Wednesday morning, April 18, 2007, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Bridgeport, Conn., on July 24, 1909, Clara was the daughter of Frank and Bertha (Corris) Smith. Growing up in Bridgeport, she graduated from the local schools and furthered her education by attending the Butler Business School for secretarial and bookkeeping courses. On Nov. 17, 1930, Clara married Kasson G. McLagan, and from that point on they made their home on the farm near Norwich and raised their family. Clara was employed by Scintilla, later Bendix Corporation, of Sidney for 25 years. She was an accomplished cook who had published her own cookbook, and was a Girl Scout leader in Norwich for five years. But the area where Clara really excelled was in genealogy. She had traced her family back all the way to the Mayflower, and could tell you anything you wanted to know about anyone in her family.
Clara is survived by her daughter, Margaret Davis of Norwich; by grandchildren: Kenneth R. Davis and wife Renee J., of Palmetto, Fla.; William F. Davis and wife Ellen of Strasburg, Va., James M. Davis of Minoa, and John H. Davis and wife Misty of Norwich; by great grandchildren: Bethany, Mary Katherine, James, Jill, Alicia, Jacob, Lauren, and Sarah; and great great grandchildren Cameron and Natalie. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Clara was predeceased by her husband, Kasson, on Aug. 12, 1950; and by her sister and brothers: Florence Stuecek, Frank Smith, and John Smith.
Funeral services for Clara will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeff Hale, pastor of the Broad Street United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Monday from noon until the service at 1 p.m.
Clara’s family has asked that memorial contributions be sent to the Guilford Historical Society, P. 0. Box 201, Guilford, NY 13780.