Clara Smith

1926 - 2022

New London - Clara Holloway Smith, 96, of New London, passed away peacefully at home with her family March 21, 2022. Clara was born Feb. 27, 1926, in Groton, to Stuart and Clara Champagne Holloway. She lived in Bluff Point, as a child enjoying the beach and ocean with her seven siblings.

Clara worked in Groton, at County Cleaners for many years before retiring to The Villages with her husband Arthur "Smitty" Smith. She enjoyed golfing, bingo, crocheting, daily rides on her golfcart with her friends and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, William Zaneski (Kathie Kenyon) of Waterford, and Arthur Smith (Susan) of Tulsa, Okla.: and a daughter, Teresa Perry, of New London. She is also survived by her sister Rita McCue of Virginia Beach, Va.; her brothers, Kenneth Holloway (Ann) of Groton, and William Holloway (Jane) of Mystic. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her daughter Kathleen Perry; and her siblings: Francis, Victor and Martin Holloway, Catherine Mansfield and Alice Hines. Clara was a loving grandmother and leaves behind 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wants to acknowledge her niece Dawn Hamilton for her love and devotion to Clara for many years. A special thank you goes to the Beacon Hospice care providers.

All services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clara's memory to Beacon Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 1903, East Hartford, CT 06108. Please visit www.byles.com to share a memory or condolence with the family.