Mrs. Pillsbury was born Dec. 9, 1916, in Richmond, N.H. She attended 12 years of school, graduating from high school. She married Harold Pillsbury on her 18th birthday in 1934. In her young years, Clara worked as a waitress and then became a restaurant manager of several restaurants. In 1958 she moved to Fairbanks when Harold took a job with the extension service as a horticulturist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Clara took a job working for the registrar's office at UAF. In 1966 she moved to Soldotna where she and Harold owned a greenhouse business. From 1974 to 1982 they spent eight years in Afghanistan working for the University of Wyoming teaching Horticulture to the residents.
In 1982 they moved to McGrath and she assisted Harold in setting up the working of a new greenhouse for a Native corporation. In 1984 they moved to Seward and she sold Amway products and kept the accounting books for Harold. In 1991, she and Harold entered the Pioneers' Home in Palmer where they remained active until age took its toll.
Her family and friends said, "Clara was a Methodist and was very active in the church. She attended a Methodist church in every community that she resided in. She loved bowling and ballroom dancing. She also loved to travel and listening to music of any kind, especially folk music and old hymns she used to sing. Harold used to say that Clara was a kind and gentle wife and she was the best and most accurate typist he knew. He attributed his success in school and business to her help. She was a thoughtful, gracious and kind person, especially with children. Most children ended up calling her Aunt Clara. To all who knew Clara, she will be missed."
She was preceded in death by her husband Harold in 1995. She is survived by her son George Pillsbury of Molalla, Ore., daughter Mary Hall of Woodstock, Ga., grandchildren Thomas Pillsbury, Robert Pillsbury, Bethann Stock and Aaron Hall and several great grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by Witzleben Family Funeral Homes and Crematory.
Source: Frontiersman, 20 August 2002
