November 22, 1922 – March 16, 2025
Clara Bellman passed away on March 16, 2025 in Nags Head, NC at the age of 102.
Clara was born November 22, 1922 in Charleston, SC to Ethel (Welling) and Ralph Poole. Ralph was a U.S. Navy Corpsman, and so, Clara lived around the world including Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, The Philippines, and China – wherever Ralph was assigned.
As a young adult Clara joined the American Red Cross and served in Post-War Japan where she met her husband Robert (Bob) Bellman, an American Army Lieutenant assigned to the Occupation of Japan.
They lived for many years in Reading, Massachusetts. Clara was a school secretary at Coolidge, Highland and Joshua Eaton schools in Reading. She enjoyed quilting and swimming and was an avid reader.
Upon retirement, they moved to Southington, CT where Clara stayed active by volunteering at the YMCA, playing Mahjong, and socializing at the Calendar House Senior Center.
Clara was pre-deceased by her parents, by her husband Bob, and by her brother John Poole and his wife Mary Stuart Smith.
Clara is survived by her son, Michael; beloved Daughter-in-Law, Cheryl; Granddaughter Melissa Valentine and her husband Sean; Granddaughter Sarah Ristway and her husband Kevin; and two Great Granddaughters Molly Valentine and Hannah Ristway.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date in Southington, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, in Clara’s name, to the Southington, CT YMCA. Please leave a message of comfort at gallopfuneralservices.com.
