Clara Laging passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, with family members holding her hands. She died 7 hours short of her 94th birthday in the home she built in 1939 at 6715 N. Curtis St., Portland. Born Clara Catherine Murphy in Boise to William and Ivy Murphy, she married three times: Clyde Tauney, Dick Wages and finally, to the love of her life, Daniel Laging Nov. 21, 1969. Daniel preceded her in death Nov. 4, 1983. A member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Fraternal Order of Eagles for over 70 years, she was known as Sister Clara Laging of Aerie No. 4 in Portland. Clara retired from Jantzen Woolen Mills in June 1980, where she had worked as a cutter for 40 years. She is survived by her sister, Mable Benton of Zephyr Cove, Nev. Her other sister, Mary Frances Smith of Lincoln City, preceded her in death in 1999. Never able to have children of her own, Clara adopted these children as her own: On the Murphy Side, seven nephews; one niece; six great-nephews; 10 great-nieces; five great-great-nephews; and seven great-great-nieces: On the Laging side, four children; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She never missed sending a card for birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. The cards would arrive on time with a note about her garden, the weather and, for the young ones, a $5 bill tucked inside. On Feb. 2, 2011, Clara Laging was united forever alongside Daniel in Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery. A celebration of life for friends and family will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2011, in her home at 6715 N. Curtis St., Portland. We will celebrate amongst the roses and flowers she loved. Aunt Clara did not leave anything undone in the life she lived, although she died with things she wanted to do in the future. Mom, Aunt, Grandma, Clara did not give up on life, life gave up on her. To the very end she had plans to attend weddings, anniversaries and holiday festivities. She loved to dance, fish, hunt and do anything that included family and friends. Rarely does one come across a person 93 years old that could interrelate with the many generation and social gaps as well as she did. If you met her once, you were a friend for life and she was interested in your life. You may well have become the recipient of handmade rugs, canned pickles or any number of home manufac-tured goodies. Her ability to treat young children with respect, discipline and unending love was remarkable. To Aunt, Mom, Grandma, Queen Mother, thank you for showing us what the meaning of life is: simple things and love for family and friends! A special thanks to Joann, Julio and the Visiting Angels for the loving care they gave in her last days at home. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Oregon Humane Society, P.O. Box 11364, Portland, OR 97211-0364