Clara T. (Pulsoni) Valente

Clara T. (Pulsoni) Valente March 22, 1919 March 22, 2015 Gorham - Clara T. Valente of Westbrook, passed away on her 96th birthday, March 22, 2015 at the Gorham House. She was born in Portland on March 22, 1919, one of seven children of Frank and Rosaria (Miccarone) Pulsoni. At the age of eight, her mother died, leaving behind seven children. Unable to care for all seven children, her father sent the three girls to St. Elizabeth's Home for Girls on High St., run by the sisters of Mercy. It was at St. Elizabeth's that her faith, commitment, and love of the Catholic religion became a part of her life. The loss of her mother at such a young age always weighed heavy on her heart and she was forever grateful for the love and charity the Sisters of Mercy showed her. While at the home, the majority of her teen years were spent taking care of many children in the Portland area. She especially enjoyed the summers she, her sisters and the other girls from the home spent on Great Diamond Island. In 1942 Clara married Thomas A. Valente, Sr. While, her husband was away during World War II, Clara went to work at the South Portland Shipyard, helping to build the Liberty ships. When her husband's ship, the West Point, was at port in New York City, she would travel to see him. These trips were some of the fondest and most exciting memories in her life. In 1944, Clara gave birth to Thomas A. Valente, Jr. Four years later, she gave birth to a daughter, Patricia Marie, who died at four days old. The loss of her daughter was a silent sadness in her life and was probably a large reason for her love of children. Clara always helped the underdog, always aiding those in need through her prayers. As she would say, ""We all have our peccadillos."" And most, if not all her charitable gifts were given anonymously, in the spirit of love, not for praise. Throughout her life, Clara stayed active. She had the experience of a lifetime when she traveled to Italy to meet her aunt and family. She was still shoveling snow at age 92! She always enjoyed her time with family. Her granddaughters were the lights of her life and loved spending time with her great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Clara was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Sister Maria Cabrini and four brothers, Dominic, Victor, Antonio and Francesco Pulsoni. She is survived by her Son Thomas A. Valente Jr and his wife Doris, grand children Teresa and Maria along with great-grandchildren Anthony and Josephine. She is also survived by her sister Mary Toderico of Portland. Friends and family are invited to visiting hours on Thursday, March 26, 2015 from 4 - 7pm at A.T. Hutchins Funeral & Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Ave, Portland. Prayers will be recited at 9am at the funeral home on Friday, March 27, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10am at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 72 Federal St, Portland. Interment will take place at Old Calvary Cemetery. To share memories and condolences with the family, please go to www.athutchins.com In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Clara's memory to: Diocesan Sisters of Mercy 265 Cottage Rd. South Portland, ME 04106

Clara T. (Pulsoni) Valente

March 22, 1919 - March 22, 2015

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