Obituary of Clara J. Vales

Clara J. Vales of 115 E. Baldwin Ave., passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017 in the Pines Health and Rehab Center in Olean. Clara was born August 2, 1924 in Olean and was a daughter of Venceslas J. and Josephine Hrdlicka. Clara was a 1942 graduate of Olean High School. She moved to Buffalo and continued her education while working for a chemical company. Clara was transferred Trenton, NJ for a period of time before returning to Olean. She received her Bachelors and Masters degrees from St. Bonaventure University. Clara was a Math teacher in Olean School System for a number of years and then became a department head for the Olean School District before her retirement. Clara was a member of St. John's Church, the League of Women Voters, College Club, Bird Club and was a sponsor of the Friends of Good Music. She also played bridge & golf and enjoyed skiing and traveling with her nieces & nephew, especially to Europe. Clara is survived by a sister, Lillian Ford of St. Louis Missouri; several nieces & nephews, Cynthia McCann of Allegany, Brian Donnelly of Olean, Jean Fox of Park City, UT, Amy Phillips of Pflugerville, Texas, Tania Keirklewski of Austin, Texas, Nancie Cooney of Ilion, NY, David KeHoe of Hyde Park, NY, Mary Gugumuck of Poughkeepsie, NY, Karen Gurvey of San Clemente, CA, Lisa Thorpe of Powell, Ohio, and Christine Heady of Ballwin, Missouri; and many great nieces & nephews. Clara was pre-deceased by two sisters, Harriett Donnelly and Gloria Kehoe; a brother, Jarome Donnelly, and a nephew, Jerome Donnelly. Friends will be received in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State St., Olean, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at which time a prayer service will be held followed by a 11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at St. John's Church. The Rev. John J. Arogyasami, Pastor, will celebrate. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Friends of Good Music, PO Box 222, Olean, NY 14760. or to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, #22 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, New York, NY 10001. Online condolences may be made by clicking the button above.