Obituary of Clara Mae Dow

Clara Mae Dow, 89, passed away July 23, 2014. She was preceded in death by husband Patrick R. Dow and parents William and Bertha Stem. She is survived by daughters Carol Dow and Linda Kinkade and by granddaughter Jennifer Kinkade. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Agnes Mattaliano (Frank), Maria Dow, and Catherine Durkiewicz, by brother-in-law, Allen Dow (Judy), and by numerous nieces and nephews. A great beauty, Clara also had true beauty of spirit. She was a magnificent woman who shared her many gifts freely. Born in Big Sandy, Tennessee May 14, 1925, she had a deep love for the woods she roamed as a child. When she was older, her parents moved to Chicago, IL, where she met the love of her life, Patrick, who served in Coast Guard during WWII. She and Pat moved to Tucson after the birth of their two daughters. Both were devoted parents, who worked hard to create a good life for their children. They loved round and square dancing, and golf. Clara worked at Sears as a sales manager. She retired to care for her husband, who died of cancer in 1978. Shortly afterward, she cared for her parents, who also died of cancer. To ease her grief, Clara created a refuge by landscaping her home with hundreds of trees and plants. She also found an outlet through physical exertion, coming to love the sports of cycling and hiking. She became the first president of the Tucson Chapter of the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association (GABA). She helped to organize the El Tour de Tucson and the Grand Canyon to Mexico cycling tours. Clara completed the AZ Challenge, a 325 mile cycling marathon, to celebrate her sixtieth birthday. Throughout her life, Clara used her optimism and passion, and her strength and stamina, to build a beautiful life for her children and grandchild. She had a deep love of learning; she loved to read and took courses at Pima Community College to follow her interests. She showed great compassion for the many family pets; she loved to rescue animals and nurse them to health.Her daughters and granddaughter were with her during her final days. They pray that her pain has been transformed into peace and beauty. She was the heart of her family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clara Dow Memorial Fund, at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona through this link: http://action.humanesociety.org/goto/claradow Clara's arrangements were made by Adair Funeral Homes-Dodge Chapel. Clara is laid to rest with her husband Patrick at Holy Hope Cemetery.