Clare Callender of Sparta celebrated her 100th birthday on June 3 and passed away peacefully in her home on July 1, 2024.
Clare was a talented artist who graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a fine arts degree.
But her calling in life was helping others, so she also became a registered nurse and served as Andover Township school nurse for 25 years.
While at Ohio Wesleyan, Clare met the love of her life, Paul Austin Callender. They married and in 1955 moved to Lake Mohawk, where they lived for the next 60 years, raising their children, Beth, Bruce and Jamie.
Clare lived for others and was active in Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Planned Parenthood, the Newton Unitarian Fellowship and helping children around the world.
She cared for her father-in-law until he died at age 105 while also caring for her husband, Paul, until he died in 2008 of Parkinson’s.
Along with her three children, Beth, Bruce (Robin) and Jamie (Debby); four “grands;” and eight “great-grands,” Clare will be missed by so many.
She never lost her sweet, giving nature and baked “Clare’s Cookies” until the end.
Celebrate Clare’s life on Saturday, July 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. (Sharing memories from 3 to 4 p.m.) at Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.
See full obituary on the Goble Funeral Home website.