CLARA MAY (CAMPBELL) MARTIN

BRISTOL — On Friday, March 10, 2023, Clara May (Campbell) Martin passed away surrounded by family. She was 92. A lifelong Vermonter, expert seamstress, talented cake decorator, and most recently a puzzle fanatic, she was born Nov. 20, 1930, in Orange. Clara left school after 8th grade to help her large family. As a teenager, she was working as a crossing guard in Richmond when she met the love of her life, Max. Together they raised seven children and enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage. Garage sale enthusiasts, they traveled the region in their van and camper, searching for treasured collectibles.

While Clara’s children were in school, her home in Bristol was a beloved daycare for the neighborhood. She always had a sewing project near her machine, including years producing Vegimals for Freemountain Toys, and a kitchen full of cakes, trays of frosting flowers, and cake scraps (much to the delight of visitors!), while producing hundreds of wedding and other event cakes.

Never one to forget a special date, she recognized all occasions with a card and phone call to her large family. Clara enjoyed community dinners with her friends, Barbara Hanson and Lucile Cousino. In the last year, she enjoyed fun times with her friends, Bea and Susan at Shard Villa.

Clara is survived by her children, Linda Osborn, Joanna Tatro, Maxine (Norman) Cobb, Ray (Denise) Martin, Diane (Phil) Livingston, Debra (Alan) Bessette, and Betty (Ronald) Brown; grandchildren, Karen Osborn, Seth (Amanda) Perry, Nathan (Melissa) Perry, Norm (April) Cobb, Rebecca (Cory) Coffey, Amos (Christine) Martin, Philip (Dawn) Livingston, Mark (Dana) Livingston, Melissa (Matthew) DeBlois, Christopher (Nariah) Bessette, Jody Brown and Louis Brown; great-grandchildren, Mary and Peter Lynch, Evan Perry, Jackson and Charlotte Coffey, Karissa and Brailey Livingston, Mason and Maverick Livingston, Xander and Xavier DeBlois, Hunter Brown, Natalie, Abby and Dom; sister, Edna Corliss; sister-in-law, Edna Campbell; and many nieces and nephews.

Clara was predeceased by her husband, Max Isham Ruell Martin; sons-in-law, Kenneth (Ozzie) Osborn and Francis Tatro; granddaughter Laurie Lynch Goetz; and siblings, Hiriam, Elisha, Marion, Clarence, Albert, George, Arlene, Eugene, and Frank.

The family would like to thank the staff of Shard Villa and Porter Medical Center for their exceptional care.

Visiting hours are Monday, March 20, 5-8 p.m. and a celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, March 21 at 11 a.m., both at the Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Clara’s name to American Legion Post 19 or First Baptist Church of Bristol. To send online condolences to her family, please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com. ◊