Clara Owens Newson, 100, of Manlius, NY passed away peacefully in her home on April 30, 2022, with family and her dearly loved cat Angel at her side.

     Clara was born to George and Myrtie Bryan in their home in the town of Pompey, NY on November 18, 1921.  She graduated from Fabius High School in 1939 and Central City Business Institute in 1940.  During the war, she worked as a secretary at Emerson Avenue Steel Mill in Syracuse.  Over the years, she was also employed by Madison-Onondaga Mutual Insurance Company and the Owens Insurance Agency. 

     She married Paul Owens in 1944 and they raised five children:  Nancy, Charlene, Dale, Chris, and Lisa.  Several years after Paul’s death in 1983, she met and then married Homer Newson in 1988 and became stepmother to his daughters Linda and Cathie.  They made their home in Manlius where they were living at the time of Homer’s death in 2005.  Clara has been a member of DeWitt Community Church since 1959.

     Clara was an avid fan of SU sports, especially basketball and football and right up to the time of her 100th birthday, she was able to attend occasional home basketball games.  She has also been a loyal Yankees fan for many years.  Gardening was one of her passions and she created many glorious gardens over the years.  She maintained close contact with nieces and nephews living locally as well as her treasured life-long friends.

     Clara is survived by her daughters Nancy Altobellis (Clifford) of Apex, NC, Charlene Maguire (John) of Callawassie Island, SC, and Lisa Owens of Manlius;  her sons Dale (Candy) of Chapel Hill, NC and Christopher of Evanston, IL; her stepdaughter Cathie Luz (Joseph) of Schoharie, NY; 7 grandchildren; 2 stepgrandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and Jeanine Carney who has been part of the family for many years.

     Clara’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service to be held at DeWitt Community Church, 3600 Erie Blvd. East, DeWitt on June 22, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. with interment at the Union Cemetery located at the Welsh Church in Erieville, NY.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to DeWitt Community Church.