Obituary of Clare D. Razzano
Clare D. (Isom) Razzano, 96, of Rome, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2021 at home, surrounded and comforted by all her children.
She was born in Ilion, NY on July 13, 1924, to the late Lewellyn and Nora Sullivan Isom. On October 17, 1953, she was united in marriage to the late Matthew Francis “Frank” Razzano at St. Peter’s Church in Rome.
Clare grew up and was educated in Ilion schools. A tomboy at heart, Clare hated wearing dresses, loved to ski, loved to play basketball in school and football with her brothers. She also loved to watch the NY Yankees games on tv. Family gatherings and reunions with her parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were an integral part of her life. Clare worked at W.T. Grant and General Cable in Rome during WWII. She attended nursing school in Albany, NY and worked as an LPN at Rome Hospital and at local nursing homes. In addition, Clare worked in the Rome public school system. Before retiring, Clare and Frank operated Razzano’s News & Variety in downtown Rome from 1980 – 1999.
A humble, optimistic, and kind woman, she always put others first. She and Frank opened their house for relatives to stay and often invited neighborhood kids for snacks, meals and sleep-overs. She was always cooking huge family meals and baking at all hours of the morning, which included her infamous fudge and molasses cookies.
She asked for little, gave a lot, could make you smile with her quick witty remarks, was able to forgive those who made mistakes, and always had rosary beads with her. Clare was a woman of great inner strength, a beautiful & sweet person, inside and out.
Clare is survived by three daughters - Mary Razzano of Rome, Karen (Beth Feldman Brandt) Razzano of Drexel Hill, PA, and Ann (Terry) Stedman of Poland, NY; two sons, Brian (Sonia LaMonte) Razzano of Utica, and Matthew (Lori) Razzano Jr. of Holland Patent; nine grandchildren, Kellen and his wife Laura, Glenn, Brandon and his wife Jessica, Anthony, Ryan and his wife Maryangela, James, Autumn, Kyleigh, and Dominick; and three great grandchildren, Helaina, Ava, and Kaden, many nieces and nephews, and cousins Genie Barry and Tom McKevitt and his wife Joyce. She was predeceased by her siblings Nancy Ann, Phil, Eugene, and James.
The family would like to thank her amazing friend Sue Kodnia, of AZ, loving and best bud niece Holly Wheeler, of Rochester, NY, caring niece Mary Ellen Isom, of Syracuse, NY, and niece Rose Norton of Georgia, who continues the tradition of baking Aunt Clare’s fudge. The family also appreciates the wonderful neighbors on the block – including the Do family and Jack Skea.
Lastly, the family would also like to thank the exceptional and caring staff at Hospice & Palliative Care and Rome Health Hospital, the dedicated and caring aides from Live Long at Home, fellow Ilion-ite and aide Ashlee Burton, and NP MJ Borst.
Instead of saying goodbye, Clare always said “bye for now”.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 5th, at St. Peter’s Church in Rome, NY, with Fr. Bernard Menard officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery.
The family requests those honoring Clare at the mass and burial to wear masks and practice social distancing. There are no calling hours, but the family is planning a celebration of life in the summer months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care in New Hartford, NY.
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