NAGS HEAD — Clara Bellman passed away on March 16, 2025, in Nags Head, NC, at the age of 102.
Clara was born November 25, 1922, in Charleston, SC, to Ethel (Welling) and Ralph Poole. Ralph was a U.S. Navy Corpsman, and so Clara lived around the world, including Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and China—wherever Ralph was assigned.
As a young adult, Clara joined the American Red Cross and served in Post-War Japan, where she met her husband, Robert (Bob) Bellman, an American Army Lieutenant assigned to the Occupation of Japan.
They lived for many years in Reading, Massachusetts. Clara was a school secretary at Coolidge, Highland, and Joshua Eaton schools in Reading. She enjoyed quilting, and swimming and was an avid reader.
Upon retirement, they moved to Southington, CT, where Clara stayed active by volunteering at the YMCA, playing Mahjong, and socializing at the Calendar House Senior Center.
Clara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, her brother John Poole, and his wife Mary Stuart Smith.
Clara is survived by her son, Michael; beloved Daughter-in-Law, Cheryl; Granddaughters Melissa Valentine and her husband Sean, Sarah Ristway and her husband Kevin, and Molly Valentine and Hannah Ristway, as well as two great-granddaughters.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date in Southington, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Clara’s name to the Southington, CT, YMCA. Please leave a message of comfort at gallopfuneralservices.com.
