Obituary of Clara Monastra Clara (Clair) Monastra, a long time resident of Goshen, NY, went to heaven on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Clara was 90 years young! Clara was born August 28, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY to Nicola and Elvira Cipriani.
She grew up in Goshen, graduated from Goshen High and then earned a BA in Education from Albany State at the age of 20! Clara also earned a Masters Degree in education from SUNY New Paltz. She was a member of the NYS Retired Teachers’ Association and the NYS United Teachers.
Locally, she was a past member and officer of the Goshen Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Middletown Area Retired Teachers’ Association and the Middletown Woman’s University Club. She also served several terms as Secretary of the Goshen Senior Citizens’ Club. She enjoyed her professional career as well as homemaking activities.
She was a member of St. John’s Church, Goshen. In 1951, Clara married Dinero (Tim) Monastra and they had three children; Lynn Riccardulli (Steve), Tom Monastra (Eleanor) and Joe Monastra (Karen). Clara and Tim were married for 38 years before his death.
After Tim’s passing, she married Lou Addorisio. Clara and Lou were married for 17 years before Lou passed. Clara was predeceased by her parents, her two husbands, and her daughter-in-law, Charlene Lawser Monastra.
Clara is survived by her three children and seven grandchildren; Matthew Guilfoyle, Dan Guilfoyle (Erin), Leah Nelson (Matt), Brittany Osberg (Andrew), Charles Monastra, Stephanie O’Connor (Ryan) and Jessica Monastra. She also had four great grandchildren, Parker, Graham and Tyler Nelson and Avery Osberg. Clara loved cooking Italian food and was renowned for her great meatballs and gravy.
She was happiest when she was surrounded by family at a holiday get together. In her final years of life she resided at Glen Arden Retirement community in Goshen. At Glen Arden she was known for her great smile and spirited laughter as she made her way to the dining hall or social events!
Visitation will be Friday, November 9 from 4 to 7 PM at Donovan Funeral Home, Inc, 82 South Church Street, Goshen, NY. The funeral will be held 11:00 am on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Donovan Funeral Home, Inc, 82 South Church Street, Goshen, NY. Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Goshen, NY.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Goshen Ambulance Corp, P.O. Box 695, Goshen, NY 10924 or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements under the care of the Donovan Funeral Home, Inc., Goshen.
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