Obituary of Clara Ann Tilney

Clara Ann Tilney, 65, of Lockport, New York, loving wife of 42 years to Leonard, passed away surrounded by family on September 17, 2016. She was the daughter of Thomas and Lorenna Turco. She is survived by her husband, Leonard G. Tilney, Jr., son Thomas L. Tilney, brother Samuel (Mary) Turco, three grandchildren, Samuel, Sophia, and Alexis Tilney, a niece Deanna Turco and sister-in-law Marcia G. Tilney. Clara was a Lockport High School graduate and received a degree in secretarial sciences from Bryant and Stratton College. She was employed as a legal secretary, then began a 25 year career as a title searcher, ending her employment as an Executive Assistant at Lacey Heavy Equipment, Inc. Clara was a dedicated mother, supporting her son as a stay at home mom in his early years by teaching him his ABCs and coaching him in Lockport Little League. She was at all his Lockport High School baseball and varsity golf events as well as Lockport Club Hockey games. She was not a stranger to volunteer service for the youth of the community individually and through the Barge Canal Optimist Club where she was a charter member. Clara has received various accolades and awards including life membership in Optimist International. She was presented a special appreciation award by Optimist International Executive Director Richard Arnold in 1989 for her work on the International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. She received an Optimist International Presidential Youth Work and Humanitarian Awards from two different International Presidents, Andre Dubois (1999) and Jerry Henderson (2003). In 1991 she was the first woman to be designated by the Optimist International Foundation as a District Representative and was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for the highest dollar per member collected in all of Optimist International. Her support of youth activities reached outside of New York State and she was given a commendation by the Tennessee District of Optimist International in 1993. The Governor of the State of Tennessee presented her an Ambassador of Good Will Proclamation in 1998. She worked hard to maintain the Lockport Club Hockey program which eventually became the Federation Program it is now. In 1995 she was honored by Lockport Club Hockey with its Athletic Supporter Award. The Buffalo Bills Alumni Association presented her its award in 1991 for her work on breast cancer. She was instrumental in starting and continuing the Barge Canal Optimist Club Breast Cancer Golf Tournament for the past 18 years which has raised over $328,000 for research and youth activities. She received an Unsung Hero Award in 2009 and was a nominee for the Y.W.C.A. Tribute to Women award in 2007. Visitation will begin from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday September 19 and 20, 2016 at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport, New York. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday September 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 168 Chestnut Street, Lockport, New York. Interment will be at Cold Springs Cemetery. Visit PruddenandKandt.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Barge Canal Optimist Club, P. O. Box 665, Lockport, New York 14095.