Clara Louise (Strout) Brasslett, 95, died peacefully on October 2, 2017 at Redington Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan after complications from a fall. She was born on December 8, 1921, in Charleston, Maine, the daughter of Henry U. and Gladys E. Strout.

She graduated from Old Town High School in 1941 and married David Brasslett shortly after, a marriage which lasted more than 57 years until the time of his death in 1998. In the 1940s, she worked as an aide at Gay Private Hospital in Bangor. She and David owned and operated Brasslett’s General Store in Hudson in the 1950s where they lived from 1945-1963, until moving to Bradford where they established Brasslett’s Garage. After retirement, the business was sold to son Larry to become Brasslett and Pullen Construction. Clara continued her “general store” connections by clerking at Lakeview Market in Glenburn for 17 years.

She is survived by two children--a daughter, Angela Brasslett Stockwell of Athens, and a son, Larry Brasslett, and wife Carolyn, of Hermon. Clara is the grandmother of five-- Trisha Stockwell Whelan and husband William of Lewiston; Kristy Stockwell Howard and husband Heath of Skowhegan; Joseph Brasslett and wife Amy of Carmel, and Aaron Brasslett and wife Kristen of Hermon. A grandson, Toby Stockwell, died in 2003. Clara is the great-grandmother of nine--Garrett and Connor Whelan; Hunter and Hannah Howard; Matthew Stockwell and Jordan Boutot; Mallory Williams, Alex Beylerian, and Loren Brasslett, and Jadyn Kruger, also a foster son Steve Page and wife Darlene. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was a communicant of Holy Family Parish in Old Town, Maine, and continued to follow her faith while living at Tissues Country Estate in Athens. Sincerest thanks to all the staff and nurses at Tissues and the kind and caring RNs and CNAs at Redington Fairview General Hospital, particularly Zayna Rush.

Clara was a member of the Bradford Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary and a former member of the Grange. Anyone who knew her wouldn’t hesitate to call her a “hard worker,” always maintaining a large garden, mowing her own lawn, and putting up her own wood. She had no aversion to climbing ladders even into her 80s. She pruned and tended several apples trees and gave away bushels of apples to friends and family during the season. She and son Larry (Bo) had a long standing “battle” in her later years over her chainsaw which he refused to sharpen in order to prevent her from cutting up wood. She walked every day, and used snowshoes when the weather was stormy! She made the best raspberry squares and always loved picking the berries for raspberry jams which became Christmas gifts for her grandchildren. She served as an example of Maine pride and independence with her positive approach to life. She was an inspiration to her family and will be sadly missed.

A Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass will be held 11 AM, Fri, Oct 6, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. Friends may visit with the family from 10 AM until the start of the service. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor, following the service. Private interment will follow at the Williams Cemetery in Bradford. Gifts in Clara’s memory may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, 429 Main Street, Old Town ME 04468. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.