Clara Ellen Craft, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died peacefully at home in Villa Park, IL, on March 3, 2021. Clara lived 90 years and was devoted to her loving husband John, seven children, nineteen grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Clara was born to Eunice M. (Robinson) and Frank L. Adrian in Champaign, Illinois on April 8, 1930. She was raised near Danville, IL with her brother Dr. Frank (Gene) and sisters, (Eunice) Jane and (Phebe) Kay. Clara fondly remembers her upbringing on her parent’s farm which formed her affinity for animals, domesticity, and inquisitiveness about life.
Clara was an incredible woman. She graduated from the University of Illinois in Science and Nutrition as a Dietitian. Clara met the love of her life of 64 years in college, Lewis John Craft of Clayton, Illinois who graduated as an engineer and eventually became a lawyer. They wed September 4, 1949 and moved to the Villa Park, IL area where they worked, served their community and church and designed the home where they raised 7 children.
Clara was a dietitian at Cook County and Hines VA Hospitals. After becoming a full-time mother, she still volunteered her expertise to help create healthy menus kids would love at the elementary school and the church camp kitchen. She worked alongside John as his real estate secretary, prior to retiring at 68 years of age. When she wasn’t working she volunteered as a 4-H leader and an officer of the West Suburban Dietetic Association. She was a charter member of the Christian Church of Villa Park where she served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon and elder. Clara was dedicated to the idea that one should live life as an example to others.
Clara was an avid gardener. She tended to an expansive flower rock garden and she grew vegetables every summer. Her love of nature extended to bird watching and caring for wildlife too. The home Clara designed herself was as welcoming as she was. Her warm spirit and open-minded curiosity enveloped everyone with acceptance and kindness; it filled her life with an exciting bevy of people and experiences. Most importantly, her unconditional love gave her a beautifully diverse family with endless talents who cherished her. Clara was intentional about being a lifelong learner, always making time to read, try new hobbies, and learn from anyone who came into her life.
Clara’s love of travel took her around the world. She visited the tulip fields in Holland, walked the Great Wall, rode elephants in South Africa, bird watched in Trinidad, attended weddings in Germany and Spain as well as many more adventures. She hoped her family would have their own travel stories, taking her entire large family on several road trips to countless states and cruises to the Mediterranean, Hawaii and Alaska. Her most cherished travels were visiting her children and grandchildren as they followed their dreams to numerous states and countries.
Clara was a woman fiercely dedicated to her family. Her love was far reaching, present in her wisdom, advice and steadfast presence in her loved ones lives. She strove to empower her children and grandchildren to be curious, life-long learners, to value hard work, lead with compassion and pay it forward. Clara’s proud, gentle smile greeted everyone for accomplishments big or small, rarely a choir concert or sporting event missed. Clara and John ensured their legacy by supporting their children and grandchildren in their academic pursuits, for which they are forever grateful. We each carry her in our hearts, honoring the tremendous woman she was by valuing the family she and John nurtured and seeing the world as a beautiful place to be cared for and explored.
Clara was preceded in death by her husband John and is survived by their children Phyllis (Robert) Habib, Ruth (John) Martin, Ellen (Lewis) Phillips, Beth Morgan, Carl (Dawn) Craft, Donna (David) Cain, Don (Janice) Craft. She was a devoted grandmother to Christina, Elana and Tamara (Mahal) Habib; Rebecca (Ziegler) and Kimberly Martin; Marcous, Victoria, and Walter Phillips; Briana and Timothy Morgan; Ginger (Colonomos), Sean Zuidgeest and Adrianna and Elaina Craft; Theresa, Rachel, and Deborah Cain; Jessica Craft and Erik Craft-Hart; and five great-grandchildren. And close family friends, Julie Giese-Craft and Gary Morgan.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Alzheimer’s Association or National Audubon Society or organization of your choice.
We would love for you to join us virtually as we remember the tremendous life of Clara. In addition to the link for the service we have shared additional links for you to be part of Clara’s remembrance as you feel is best for you. To join us March 13, 2021 at 2:00 pm go to: www.bit.ly/clara-90
