BANGOR – Clara Striar, 87, died peacefully Feb. 12, 2008, in Bangor. Clara was born Sept. 25, 1920, in Chelsea, Mass., the daughter of Sophie (Isenberg) and Joseph Sagik. Clara was a 1942 graduate of Simmons College, Boston, where she majored in business administration. Upon graduation, she worked in the pharmacology department of Harvard Medical School. It was while working there during the war years, that she was introduced by her childhood friend to her life mate. Clara married David Striar in December 1945. They were blessed with a 62-year long marriage partnership. Clara and David owned the Globe Confectionary Co., Chelsea, Mass., where they worked together until their retirement in 1971. At that time they moved to Bangor where they designed and built a home overlooking grazing fields and pastoral landscape. Evening sunsets from their living room window gave Clara particular pleasure. In retirement, Clara and David had the opportunity to pursue their passion for gardening. A lifelong learner and avid reader, Clara audited classes at the University of Maine for more than 20 years. She was a member of Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue and Sisterhood and a member of Hadassah Women’s Study Group. Most importantly, life in Maine permitted Clara to be a loving and participatory grandmother to her two special grandchildren, Jessica and Sam. Clara is survived by her beloved David; her daughter and son-in-law, Ruthanne and George Singal of Falmouth; her granddaughter and her husband, Jessica Singal Shapiro and Mathieu Shapiro of Philadelphia; her grandson and his wife, Samuel and Lori Singal of New York City; and two great-grandchildren, Jacob Singal Shapiro and Alexandra Maya Shapiro. She is also survived by her sister, Lillian Backman of Chestnut Hill, Mass.; two brothers-in-law, Louis and Ronald Striar of Bangor; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Melvin Sagik. The family gratefully acknowledges the compassionate care provided to Clara by the staffs of St. Joseph Hospital and Westgate Manor. Enduring thanks to Dr. Penny Lamhut for her outstanding medical care and friendship and to Clara’s special friend, Theresa Cunningham. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Jewish Funeral Chapel, 118 Center St., Bangor, with Rabbi Fred Nebel officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share in conversation and refreshments immediately after the funeral in the Kenduskeag Parlor, Dirigo Pines Inn, 9 Alumni Drive, Orono. Shiva will be held 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday at David’s home, 224P Dirigo Pines Inn. Donations in Clara’s memory may be made to Congregation Beth Israel, 144 York St., Bangor, ME 04401 or to a charity of one’s choice. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor.