LEWISTON — Clara Louise Carlin Mennealy died Nov. 28, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Lewiston on the Fourth of July, 1928, the third of eight children of Harry and Pauline (Rector) Carlin. Clara was educated in both Lewiston and Auburn schools, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1946.

After graduation, she attended Lakeland College in Lakeland, Fla., later transferring to the Auburn Maine School of Commerce, from which she graduated in 1948. Upon graduation, she began working at Brackett and Shaw. On Sept. 2, 1948, she married Thomas Chaffin Mennealy. Together, they raised four children in their home on Montello Street, where she resided for 56 years.

While raising her children, Clara provided proofreading and typing services for the college and business communities. She also worked for Catalyst For Learning, for Thomas C. Mennealy Inc., at Good Shepard Nursing home, and later on worked for Judge Elton H. and Aurelia Fales.

Clara was a longtime communicant of St. Joseph’s Church. She loved golf and belonged to Martindale Country Club for many years. One of her proudest moments, which she loved to share, came with her hole-in-one on the 11th hole at Martindale.

She was an avid candlepin bowler for many years in Auburn and Lisbon Falls. She did a great deal of volunteer work at the Pettingill School and was a member of the PTA. She coached softball at Elliot, and was very involved in the Girl Scouts providing leadership to both Brownie and Girl Scout troops. She was a member of the Jaycee Wives and traveled extensively to conventions around the United States.

She always looked forward to her weekly bridge games with friends and to playing cribbage at the Multi-Purpose Center in Lewiston. Clara enthusiastically encouraged and supported all of the various academic and sporting events of her children and grandchildren and loved cheering for their respective sports teams. She loved to watch the Red Sox and Bruins.

She was an incredibly devoted mother and grandmother with a tremendous love for her family. She enjoyed all family events, camping trips to Rangeley and Sebago Lake, and especially to Hermit Island. She spent a lot of time with her family at the beach and spending days on the boat on the ocean. She loved reading and sitting in the sun.

She enjoyed traveling with her family to Florida, loved her bucket-list trip to Alaska, and to sporting events and exploration to New York City, Chicago, all over Canada, and on many trips to Vermont on which she always enjoyed the scenic ride. Clara had many hobbies including knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, gardening, and canning vegetables. She had an affinity for puzzles and always had a crossword or jigsaw going. She was especially fond of working on her brother Wendell’s farm. She loved berry picking, and she was a fabulous cook who loved to bake.

Throughout a stubborn and courageous battle with cancer, Clara always maintained a positive can-do outlook and remained engaged in all her daily activities. She never lost her love for life or sense of humor.

Clara is survived by her four children, Robert C. Mennealy and his wife, Pinky, of Auburn, Mrs. Karen Royer, and her husband, Fred, of Lewiston, Jon R. Mennealy, and his wife, Maureen, of Sabattus and Kelly J. St. Denis, and her husband, Gerard, of Auburn; her sisters, Pauline Bussiere of Canton, Patricia Bruce of Franklin, Frances Egby of Los Angeles, Calif., and one brother, Harry W. Carlin Jr. of Windham; Clara is also survived by her nine grandchildren, Jaime and Matt Mennealy, Kristi Ouellette and Kelsi Tanguay, Troy and Alison Mennealy, and Greg, Michael, and Kerri St. Denis; as well as her three great-grandchildren, Keegan Mennealy and Landon and Taylor Clements.

Clara was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Jean Nason; and her two brothers, James and Michael Carlin.