Clara B. (Gagnon) Duford Cail, age 95, of Seabrook, New Hampshire and former longtime Salisbury resident, died peacefully at her home in Seabrook, Monday evening, January 30, 2012. She was the beloved wife of the late Gordon E. Cail and the late Fred H. Duford.
Born in Salisbury, October 22, 1916 at her family homestead, she was one of six children of the late Louis A. and Rosanna Gagnon and had attended the Jacob F. Spaulding Elementary School and graduated from Amesbury High School.
On October 3, 1936, Clara married her first husband, Fred Homer Duford, raising three wonderful children and sharing 29 years filled with lasting memories. Fred passed on February 19, 1965. In 1973, Clara married her second husband, Gordon Eldridge Cail , who shared her life until his death in 1998.
Mrs. Cail worked at the former Ruth Shoe in Salisbury; CBS Hytron in Newburyport and Western Electric in North Andover, where she remained until her retirement. In her retirement Clara enjoyed working Friday afternoons, for several years, at the family business in Salisbury, The Winners Circle.
A caring, loving, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, Clara was totally dedicated to her family and her church, the East Parish United Methodist Church of Salisbury, where she had been a lifelong member. Her strength of spirit came from her love of family and church. Her three sons were the pride and joy of her life and at Thanksgiving gatherings Clara proudly sat at the head of the the table with her “flock”.
She was an avid Red Sox fan, happy to say that she never missed a game. In her later years, she always enjoyed the many winters she vacationed in Marco Island.
Special thanks to her caregivers, Brenda, Claire and especially her nephew, Al “Sonny” Gagnon, Jr., who enabled her to remain at home throughout her final days.
Her survivors include her three sons, Roger Duford and wife Duffy of Amesbury; Ron Duford and wife “Hat” of Wells, ME; and Jerry Duford and wife Rudy of Groveland; ten grandchildren, Shaun, Scot, Ron, Jr., Jeff, Amy, Nathan, Emily, Reed, Drew and Curt; along with 21 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren and numerous generations of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a granddaughter, Kimberly A. Duford in 2006; and by three brothers and two sisters, Roland, Albert, Nelson, Yvonne and Lena.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10 A.M. at the East Parish United Methodist Church, Lafayette Road, Salisbury, followed by interment in Long Hill Cemetery. By request of the family, there will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the East Parish United Methodist Church, 8 Lafayette Road, Salisbury, MA 01952. Arrangements are by Elliott, Woodworth & Rogers Family Funeral Home, 35 Green Street, Newburyport.
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