Clara Taplin Rankin

A Gracious Lady . Much missed and much admired .

I never met Clara but feel a loss that I never did. She reminds me of my own dear grandmother who was an accomplished singer & shared the love of the arts with her husband, a world renowned sculptor. Clara left an amazing legacy, truly a remarkable woman. She was from a time in history that was so precious & definitely missed. As her family, I am certain that you will always miss the special person that she was. My heart & prayers go out to you.

My deepest condolences to the family on behalf of my late mother Kitty Makley, who worked closely with Clara on many projects, but especially Hopewell. My mother greatly admired Clara and looked up to her as an inspiring role model and fellow Smith alumnus.

Commiserations to the family, especially to my colleague Anne Farnhan Rankin who will miss her gran a lot.

Clara was a wonderful woman and I´ll miss her. As the long-time curator of ancient American art at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where she served as a trustee, I treasured her support of the Americas and was flattered when she included me in the group of interesting, accomplished women whom she invited each year to her Christmas teas, which memorably featured cinnamon toast. The cast changed nearly every year, constantly refreshing itself as older members moved or retired and young admirers...

My sincerest condolences to the entire Rankin family. I first met Clara in 1977-myself then a young and naïve curatorial assistant in the CMA´s Asian department. She was the single trustee for whom I felt immediately and easily welcomed. I continue to treasure her personally inscribed copy of Tea and Curiosity. Having subsequently moved to work at the Art Institute of Chicago, I have frequently returned to the CMA to appreciate its incomparable collections. Upon my visit last year to spend...

Dear Rankin and Taplin families, We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Clara Taplin Rankin. On behalf of the Greater Cleveland Chinese Chamber of Commerce and local Chinese Community, we want to express our sincerest condolences and offer our gratitude for the contributions Clara made to our culture and shared history. Clara's journey to China in the 70s was a meaningful moment in the lives of many within the Chinese community. Her thoughtful reflections in "Tea and Curiosity: A...

Mrs. Rankin was bigger than life, and more caring than many knew. It was many years after I graduated from Hawken that I learned of her influence in opening the doors of Yale to me. I have been grateful ever since. She and her family are in my prayers.