Clara M. Ferracane

Loudonville, NY-Clara M. Ferracane (Claire) of Albany passed away peacefully at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center on Friday, November 3, 2023. Born in Albany on August 19, 1931, Clara spent many years working for the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. Clara’s greatest pride and joy were her daughter, Marilynn, son-in-law, Scott, and grandchildren, Alicia, Matthew and Justin. We will cherish our memories of weekly Sunday dinners with Clara’s homemade sauce and meatballs. Clara was a founding member of the Italian American Community Center along with her husband of fifty-eight (58) years, Giuseppe Ferracane, and a proud member of the Women’s League. Clara was also a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Italian Benevolent Society. Clara remained a member of the IACC and the IBS until only a few years ago when she moved into the nursing home. Clara was very actively involved in fundraising and in the functions held by the IACC and the IBS. Just to name a few, she was the Chair of the annual family Christmas parties for many years; she started the Caring and Sharing section of the Siamo Qui newsletter; she worked Bingo every Thursday night for decades; was an avid bocce player, many times even as Captain; and enjoyed weekly cards and poker games at both the IACC and the IBS. Clara also loved organizing yearly bus trips to New York City to celebrate the San Genarro Feast. She truly knew her way around lower Manhattan and we would always enjoy eating dinner at the iconic Forlini’s restaurant, where the staff all knew her and would give her a free dinner for bringing in a bus load of patrons! Clara enjoyed telling adult jokes, making people laugh, eating Italian pastries and watching her beloved Yankees and golf. Clara loved the sun and enjoyed yearly trips to Puerto Rico to visit Joe’s brother, Gerardo, and sister-in-law, Kathy, and to Isla de Margarita in Venezuela with life-long family and friends from Montreal. Clara has many cherished memories of her family and friends in Montreal, spending holidays, weddings and precious time together. Clara was predeceased by her loving husband, Giuseppe; her father, Joseph; mother, Philomena; and brother, Albert. She is survived by her daughter, Marilynn Dodge (Scott); granddaughter, Alicia Dodge (Andrew Gutman); grandsons, Matthew Dodge (Hayley) and Justin Dodge; and great-grandsons, Aiden Joseph Gutman and August Ferracane Dodge; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends locally and in Montreal and Italy, whom she has many happy memories with. Funeral services were held privately. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com Clara’s family would like to thank the staff at Kingsway Nursing Home for the kindness and compassion shown to Clara for the past three (3) years she spent there. Memorial contributions may be made in Clara’s name to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, 1003 Loudon Road, Cohoes, N.Y. 12047.

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Clara M. Ferracane

August 19, 2023 - November 3, 2023