Obituary of Clara Smith

Clara L. (Saul) Smith passed away April 1, 2020 after a heroic battle with cancer. Born June 19, 1949 in Buffalo she is the daughter of Gladys (Benzula) Saul and the late Leopold Saul. Clara graduated from Mount Mercy Academy in 1967 and Canisius College in 1971. She earned her Masters of Science in Psychology and taught both psychology and sociology at Lockport High School for 38 years, retiring in 2012.

Besides her mother, Clara is also survived by her loving husband of 48 years, John Smith; beloved daughters Lydia (Angelo) Caprarella and Marika (Ben) Mills; cherished grandchildren Mia and Lila Caprarella, Lucas, Zachary, Arya, and Lydia Mills; caring siblings Gladys (Richard) Filipowicz, Joseph (Debi) Saul, and Leopold (Ann) Saul; also several nieces and nephews.

Clare spent her career sharing her excitement for life with generations of psychology and sociology students at Lockport High School. She also devoted many years to teaching Religious Education at Saint Bridget’s Roman Catholic Church in Newfane. Her retirement coincided with the beginning of her new role as “Cece, the Super-Grandmother.” Clare created magical childhoods for all six of her grandchildren, with many tea parties, snuggles, special gifts, out-to-dinner games, and adventures to the beach, Disney World, Genesee Country Museum, and so many other places. “The best thing about Cece is she always makes me feel special” (grandchild, Mia, at age 4).

Clare combated her cancer diagnosis with the extreme organization and cheerfulness for which she was known. She soldiered through nearly two years of doctors appointments, surgeries, and chemotherapy, always with a smile on her face and a kind word to those who were helping her. Clare called her mother everyday and FaceTimed with her grandchildren every night.

The world has lost a very special person, and her family has lost their world.

Relatives, friends, and former students are invited to a Memorial Mass on Saturday, June 19th at 10 AM in St. John the Baprist RC Church, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Visit pruddenandkandt.com