Clara Boice Van Tassel of Ancram died on March 16. She was 87.
Born to Roy and Mary Jane (Vosburgh) Boice on Sept. 19, 1938, Clara Ann was the youngest of five children.
She met Ronald Van Tassel at Roeliff Jansen Central School, from which she graduated in 1956. They were married on Oct. 17, 1959. She graduated from Vassar Brothers School of Nursing as a registered nurse, also in 1959.
A lifelong resident of Ancram, Van Tassel was president of the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society and Ancram town historian, serving for 30 years.
For 87 years she was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and served as council member and eucharistic minister.
Van Tassel is survived by five children: Patricia Van Tassel, Stephen (Jean) Van Tassel, Bruce (Melissa) VanTassel, Katrina (Peter Haughie) Van Tassel, and Sandra (Allan) Chabot; five grandchildren: Justin (Sarah) VanTassel, Haley (Tommy) Johns, Tess Chabot, Thomas Haughie, and Faye Chabot; four great-grandchildren: Payton, Charlotte, Giada, and Hudson; and many nieces and nephews. Her husband, Ronald B. Van Tassel, died on Aug. 23. Her brothers and sister — Roy Jr., Arthur, Harold, and Ruth Boice – also died before her.
Family will receive visitors from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and a funeral and celebration of her life will take place at 11 a.m. on March 22 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ancram, with a graveside ceremony immediately following.
The family asked that in lieu of flowers, friends consider donations to the Ancram Fire Company, St. John’s Lutheran Church, or Community Hospice.