Clara C. Terzi, 94, a resident of West Wyoming, passed into eternal life on Sunday afternoon January 30, 2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Born on April 27, 1927, in Pittston, Clara, was one of three daughters born to the late Joseph and Maria (Randazzo) Caltagirone.

In addition to her parents, Joseph and Maria Caltagirone, Clara was preceded in death by her loving husband, the late Lino I. Terzi, who passed away on September 19, 1986. Together Lino and Clara shared thirty-seven beautiful years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her infant sister, Carmella Caltagirone.

Raised in West Wyoming, Clara worked at her mother’s corner grocery store in her younger days while attending school to help her mother who was widowed at a very early age. During high school along with her studies she was a Majorette and took part in writing support mail to World War II troops. After graduating from West Wyoming High School, Class of 1945, she continued helping in the store where she met her future husband, Lino I. Terzi. She attended Empire Beauty School along with earning certificates from The Bruno School of Hair Design, La Maur Beauty Knowledge Forum in 1946, and Clairol Gold Crown Certificate in 1964. She started her own business, ‘Clara’s Beauty Salon’, which she operated out of her home in West Wyoming for over sixty years. Clara treated her customers with dignity and respect, many times driving them to the shop, and styling their hair at their homes if they were homebound. What an achievement for a woman to have her own business and drive in the early 60’s! Always wanting to be on top of the latest beauty trends, Clara attended countless cosmetology shows, expos, and seminars over the years.

Strongly rooted in her Catholic faith, Clara was a longtime member of Our Lady of Sorrows, now known as Saint Monica’s Parish, where she held membership with the church’s Confraternity of Christian Mothers. She was also a member of Saint Barbara’s Parish, formerly known as Saint Anthony of Padua Church, Exeter.

Clara had a great love for dancing throughout her life, from the Boogie Woogie in her early days to Line Dancing later on in life. She was a longtime member of the Anthracite Rose Line Dancing Club. She was also a member of the Italian-American Citizen’s Club and enjoyed the many dinners and gatherings they hosted over the years.

A consummate Italian wife, mother, and grandmother, Clara loved to cook and bake for her family. She was also very artistic excelling at drawing, crocheting, quilting, and needlepoint and spoke two languages flawlessly. In her younger days she enjoyed bowling. More recently she enjoyed rides around Harveys Lake, one day excursions to shopping malls, and window shopping to keep up with the latest fashions. Lately, playing cards, puzzles, checkers, and watching game shows filled her time.

Clara’s love and devotion for her children and grandchildren was boundless. Strong willed with a solid work ethic, Clara instilled these qualities in her children and grandchildren.  She was blessed to have a strong unbreakable mutual bond with her son, Lino, and her daughter, Christine, as well as her sister, Mary.  Although Clara’s presence will be greatly missed, there is joy in knowing she is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, family members and friends that have gone before her, and that she is freely in peace without all the pain and suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, which she acquired in 1971, and the other debilitating ailments she bared more recently.

Clara is survived by her devoted children, Lino J. Terzi, West Wyoming; and Christine Gustainis and her husband, James, West Chester; her two granddaughters, Hailey Gustainis, West Chester, and Jennifer May and her husband, James, and their children, Clara’s great-grandchildren, Gus and Charlie; South Carolina. Also surviving are her sister, Mary Matani, West Wyoming; her nieces, Mary Cleary and Joann Mischanti; as well as their families of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Lino and Christine would like to thank Christine’s husband, Dr. James Gustainis, and the rest of their extended family for their relentless understanding, self-sacrifice and support during a much-needed time. This allowed them the ability to care for Clara at home and enabled them to provide excellent personal care until her final rest.

Overwhelming gratitude is extended to Clara’s sister, Mary Matani, for her lifelong love, continuous care, and thoughtfulness throughout the years, most especially the last weeks of Clara’s life, when a sister’s bond was so much needed.

The family would also like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to her devoted friend and caregiver, Jane Roche, for all she did to assist Clara and her family. A sincere thank you to Father Peter Tomczak for his spiritual guidance, prayers, and kindness during Clara’s final days. Also, their sincerest gratitude is extended to the incredible staff of Geisinger at Home for their excellent assistance during a difficult time, and to all the workers at Geisinger who got to know Clara on a first name basis.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend Clara’s viewing which will be held on Wednesday, February 09, 2022, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Saint Monica’s Parish, Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 363 West 8th Street, West Wyoming.

Following the viewing, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Saint Monica’s Parish, with the Reverend Father Peter Tomczak, her Pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Mount Olivet Roman Catholic Cemetery, Carverton section of Kingston Township.

The family kindly requests that those attending Clara’s services wear a mask.  If a mask is needed, one will be provided.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

For additional information or to send Clara’s family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home’s website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Clara’s name to the Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 600, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, or by visiting www.arthritis.org/donate .

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