Clara Antoinette (Stirpe) Carr, 91, formerly of Corning, and Homer, NY, passed away Nov. 23, 2022, at Mary Wade Home, New Haven, CT. Born Aug. 3, 1931, in Corning, the daughter of the late Vincenzo and Jennie (D’Andreo) Stirpe, Clara was predeceased by her husband of 35 years, Robert J. Carr, and grandson Curtis Carr. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia (John) Whitcomb of North Haven, and her sons, Christopher (Susan) and Connal, both of Homer. A devoted grandmother, she leaves three grandchildren who adored her, Alayna Carr (Travis Ticknor); and Kayla and Meredith Whitcomb. Clara also leaves a sister, Gloria O’Dell, and two brothers, Vincent Stirpe and Richard (Linda) Stirpe, all of Corning; great granddaughter Mia Ticknor; and several nieces and nephews.
She entered the workforce early in life to help support the family business, Stirpe’s Grocery, which was a landmark on Market Street in Corning through the late 1960s. After graduating from Corning Free Academy in 1948, she moved to New York City where she trained and became a flight attendant for the United States Overseas Airline (USOA), an air transport service for military personnel, traveling to Europe and Africa. After leaving the USOA, she worked at the Roxy Theatre as an usher and at Macy’s Department Store as a jewelry department clerk before becoming a secretary at the Warner Book Company.
Clara married Robert in 1957, living in Flushing, NY, before moving to Elmira, NY. Over the years, the couple pursued various opportunities that took them to other towns and cities in central New York State. They settled in Homer, and she worked at Smith Corona in Cortland as an operator for 18 years until her retirement. Following the death of her beloved husband, Clara returned to her native Corning where she enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends.
Details for a Mass of Christian Burial will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., North Haven. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Mary Wade Home (marywade.org/giving).