MILFORD, Conn. and BLAINE – Clara Millicent Barrey Smith Poole, 91, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at Milford Hospital, Milford, Conn., with her loving family at her side. She is now with her loving husband, Jack, who passed away Aug. 28, 2009. She was born Aug. 5, 1918, in Blaine, the oldest of seven born to the late Malcolm and Millicent (Belyea) Barry. She attended schools in Blaine and Mars Hill, graduating from Aroostook Central Institute, Class of 1937. She married Deane Smith – son of Fred and Viola Bates Smith, that same year and moved to a potato farm on West Ridge Road, Mars Hill, where they raised three boys, Dwight, Barrey and Hugh. Dean died at the very young age of 35 and Clara left the farm in 1956 and moved to Milford, Conn., where she attended nursing school in Bridgeport, Conn. She worked for several years in the nursing field. She joined a square dancing club in the local area where she met Jack, who was then a widower with four children. They married Nov. 24, 1961, and combined the two families at Bryan Hill Road, Milford, Conn. Both retired in the late 1970s and spent their time volunteering for Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America and many other causes. They also traveled extensively by car, train, ships and planes. All through Clara’s life, she has written many short stories and poems with several being published. So in later life, she joined Wordsmith Group at the senior center where she had been very active for many years. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack; sons, Dwight Smith and Barrey Smith; two sisters, Erma Anderson and Diana Menendez; and a brother, Robert Barrey. She is survived by her son, Hugh Smith; stepchildren, Kathi Poole Miasano and husband, Frank, Richard Poole and wife, Dorsey, Steven Poole and wife, Sabrina, and Robert Poole and wife, Karen; a sister, Ruth Pert and husband, Leonard; brothers, Nathan M. Barrey and wife, Dorothy, and Stephen Belyea Barrey and wife, Ardis; 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Friends and family may visit 9 a.m. Jan. 9, 2010, at Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home, Milford, Conn., where a memorial service will begin 10 a.m. Interment will be after at Kings Highway Cemetery Milford, Conn. To leave condolences or for directions, please visit our website at www.georgejsmithandson.com.
CLARA M. BARREY SMITH POOLE
