Clara R. Edwards

Newport, RI - Clara R. DeMenzes Edwards, 77, of 87 Girard Avenue, Newport, RI, died Thursday, July 6, 2006 at the Grand Islander Health Care Center, Middletown, RI where she has resided since April. Clair, as she liked to be called, was born to Manuel and Margaret Mendes Payne DeMenezes in Little Compton RI, on May 8, 1929. Clair was one of ten children. She moved to Newport in 1951 when she married and has lived there ever since. In the following years Clair bore eight children and was proud to be able to stay at home to care for them while her husband worked hard to provide for the family. She was an excellent cook and homemaker and put her skill as a cook to use later in life at various jobs she held as well as volunteering to help feed the less fortunate. For most of her later life, Clair lived independently and was very resourceful at providing for her own needs. She was very generous and would do without to give something to someone in need even when her health was failing in the last few years. Often this generosity extended to her children who came and went throughout her life. Clair loved to travel and for the last 30 years would often visit her son Michael in Norfolk, Virginia where she had an extended Family and many friends over the years. She especially liked Michael?s friend Joe and his mother Rita who she has known for 20 years and has come to love very much. She was last in Norfolk in May of 2005 and even in extremely poor health beat everyone at Scrabble. Clair will be returning to Norfolk one last time to be laid to rest among the Azaleas. Clair is survived by six sons and two daughters; Michael Mureddu of Norfolk, Virginia, Patricia Griffy of Dittmer, Missouri, Charles E. Mureddu of Portland, Oregon, John J. Mureddu of Warwick, RI, Robert D. Mureddu of Middletown, RI, Brian D. Mureddu of Missouri, Christopher Mureddu of Newport, RI, and Mary M. Abernathy-Jones of Belton, Missouri, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her best friend and Guardian Angel Pam Thomas of Newport, RI who saw her through some tough times when her son Michael couldn?t be there and helped to comfort her in her final hour. Michael wishes to thank the staff of the Grand Islander Health Care Center for their compassionate care. Clair made many friends there too numerous to list. He would also like to thank Beacon Hospice: Mark, Corey and especially Chaplin Oscar Kumah for guiding us to our new destination. Finally Thank You to Doctor Tom Fantes. You are all special people with a special calling. Funeral services and burial will be private. Clair?s family asks that in lieu of flowers please volunteer time in a worthy cause for the desperate in need. The return for a kind act is immeasurable.