Clara LaRotonda

Clara Anne LaRotonda, age 93, died peacefully on Monday, July 2, 2018, at Rose of Sharon Assisted Living Residential Home in Littleton, Colorado.

Born January 15, 1925 in Ft Jennings, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late John and Margaret (Wink) Meyer. She was married on April 3, 1948 to her beloved husband, John J LaRotonda who preceded her in death in 2011.

During World War II, Clara worked in the factory at Lima Westinghouse in support of  the war efforts. Having played the French Horn in her high school band, she joined the Westinghouse 100-piece band which played for bond rallies and other patriotic functions. After the war, the uniforms and instruments were put in storage until John LaRotonda returned to the Lima plant and found them. He resurrected and directed the Westinghouse band, now of 20 members, and Clara once again played the French Horn. John and Clara met, married and celebrated their love of music for many more years as members and performers in The Lima Symphony Orchestra and St Charles Choir. They instilled their love of music in their seven children.

Clara retired from Westinghouse Electric in 1986. She was later called back  for her intricate soldering skills to work on critical space shuttle components. Although she received accolades and recognition for her part in the space program, her greatest accomplishment and passion was raising her family of seven children.

Clara was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her nurturing and loving spirit will live on in her seven surviving children: Elaine LaRotonda, Thomas (Carol) LaRotonda, Gregory (Teresa) LaRotonda, Lynette (Terry) Beets, Judith (Robert) Cantrell, Kathryn O’Neill, and Alan (Kimberly) LaRotonda. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, and two sisters; Elizabeth Meyer and Joan Lieb. She will be greatly missed by her family.

She was preceded in death by her brothers; Lawrence Meyer, Gerald Meyer, Charles Meyer, Robert Meyer and Philip Meyer.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 9, 2018 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00- 8:00 p.m., at Chamberlain Huckeriede Funeral Home in Lima. A Parish Wake Service will be held at 8 pm.

A mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Father Steve Blum and Father Kent Kaufman will concelebrate.

Interment will be in Gethsemani Cemetery, in Lima, Ohio.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St Charles Catholic Church or to Catholic Charities.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com