Clara C. Cleaver 81 a lifelong resident of Walton, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at Countryside Care Center, after a long illness.

Clara was born in Walton on October 8, 1927 the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Marsico) Guarino. She was a graduate of Walton High School, Class of 1945 and the Benedictine Hospital School of Nursing, Kingston. On November 13, 1948 she married George Cleaver.

Clara was a member of the Walton Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary, St. Johns Rosary Altar Society, and the Walton American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Clara first worked at Stevens Hospital and Smith Hospital. Later she was the first nurse hired at the new Delaware Valley Hospital, working for 53 years, and worked in every department of the hospital. She also taught nursing at BOCES and mentored many new nursing graduates over the years, organized the Strawberry Festival, penny socials at church, and oversaw the volunteers at DVH. She was also the first recipient of the Sally Dean Award.

Nursing was Clara's life and greatest love. She took her profession very seriously and did it by the book, with love and compassion for almost 60 years. She was highly respected by her colleagues and by the people she took care of.

Clara is survived by her loving husband George, a son, David (Margaret) Cleaver, Walton; a daughter, Beth Ann (Steve) Covell, Kernersville, NC; 2 grand sons, Kevin and Andy, a sister, Elizabeth Fanning, Endicott, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Clark, Winter & Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend St., Walton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 1 PM at St. John the Baptist, 17 to 23 Benton Ave., Walton with the Rev. Matthew Frizoni, officiating. Burial will follow in Walton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Clara's memory may be made to Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820; Alzheimers Assn., 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, NY 12206 or the Clara Cleaver Scholarship Fund at DVH, 1 Titus Place, Walton, NY 13856.