Clara Mae Billingsley, devoted wife of the late Quincy Billingsley, Jr. and formerly of North Haven, CT passed away on August 17th at Wadsworth Glen HealthCare Facility in Middletown. Clara was born in Anniston, Alabama on December 9th, 1924, daughter of James Sr. and Juanita (Hawkins) Moore. Clara is survived by her daughters, Gale Billingsley Krueger (Mark); Regina Jacobson (Barry) and her grandson Robert Fannell. She was predeceased by a son, Quincy Billingsley III and her brother James Moore, Jr. Clara was a strong, principled and fiercely independent woman who carried herself with great dignity, grace and pride. Orphaned at a very early age, Clara overcame many adversities and hardships in her life yet she never lost her deep compassion for others. Clara was also survived by her grand dog, Diamond. Clara was employed at the Seamless Rubber Company in New Haven for a number of years while raising her three children. A loving and devoted wife and mother, Clara sacrificed much for her family. She instilled in her children the importance of hard work, commitment; integrity and a deep compassion for all. Clara was an avid gardener; talented seamstress and baker. She and her husband were known for their large vegetable garden and fruit trees. Her canned vegetable and fruit preserves were the delight of family and friends. An excellent cook, friends and family enjoyed many of Clara’s home cooked meals and desserts. She was most generous with sharing the fruits of her labor. The family wishes to thank the loving and compassionate administration and staff of Wadsworth Glen who were Clara’s family for four and a half years. Their deep caring made Clara’s stay at Wadsworth Glen an enjoyable one, with many pleasant memories for Clara and her family. In her final days at Wadsworth, every staff member who knew her and cared for her visited her to give her their final good-bye.     

There will be a private burial for the family at Beaverdale Memorial in New Haven. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Clara’s memory to the recreation department at Wadsworth Glen, 30 Boston Road, Middletown, CT. Clara will be greatly missed by those whose lives she has touched. She is now home with God and her loved ones that predeceased her.  The North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue has been entrusted with the arrangements.