Clara M. Menard
...co-founder of R.A.R.A. in Lowell; 90
TEWKSBURY - Clara M. (Arsenault) Menard, age 90, well known throughout the Merrimack Valley for her skills in co-founding, organizing, and fund-raising for R.A.R.A., (Retarded Adult Rehabilitative Association) the greater Lowell program that has positively and profoundly affected hundreds of special adults for decades, died Thursday morning, September 17, at Wingate of Lowell, following a brief period of declining health.
She was born in Tignish, P.E.I., Canada, on May 21, 1919, a daughter of the late Charles and Maryanne (Perry) Arsenault, and raised in Maine. She lived in Waltham before moving to Tewksbury in the early 1950's to raise her family, and due to advancing years, moved to Lowell three years ago.
She worked in the missile assembly division of Raytheon until her retirement.
She and her husband were co-founders of R.A.R.A. in Lowell, where she continued to volunteer up until the age of 87. She was well known in her earlier years as an active parishioner at St. William's in Tewksbury, and was active at the Tewksbury Senior Center in her later years.
She will be lovingly remembered for the patience and inner calm she was called upon to use while raising her special daughters and constant companions, Patty and Anna, well into their adulthood. She maintained her smile, spirituality and graciousness, regardless of the degree of the difficulty of her earthly trials. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her three daughters, Patricia Menard of Groveland, Jean Tallent of Lowell, and Anna Menard of Tewksbury; two grandchildren, Rae Ann Tallent and her husband Scott Burnett of Lowell, William Tallent and his fiancee Diane Rooney of Plymouth; two great grandchildren, Mandy and Scott Jr; her friend and companion, Joseph Francis of Tewksbury, many nieces and nephews.
She was also sister of the late Emile Arsenault, Vera Gallant, Beatrice Merchant, Leo Arsenault, Sylvere Arsenault, Tessi Blaisdell, Peter Arsenault.
Her Funeral Mass was held Saturday, Sept 26, in St. William's Church, Tewksbury. Burial was in St. Mary Cemetery, No. Tewksbury. Memorials to Developmental Residential Services program, C/O Mental Health Association, 99 Church St., Lowell, MA 01852, will be appreciated.