By JoAnn R. Walter —
Clara Thurston Ross Bernard has enjoyed a window view at Riverview, a rehabilitation and nursing facility located on Fifth Avenue in Owego, N.Y., for the past three years. The long-time Owego resident will soon celebrate her 101st birthday on April 12.
In her bright and spring-like decorated room, Clara’s favorite chair is graced with a ribbon that reads, “Birthday Queen.” A suitable title for the centenarian-plus one, Clara quipped that she is the oldest resident at Riverview today.
On the outside of her door, a wreath adorned with pastel-colored peonies welcomes visitors. Peonies are a cherished flower that Clara fondly remembers from her home. A peony plant still blooms there, she said, and which is a century old, too.
Clara Thurston Ross Bernard, a resident at Riverview in Owego, N.Y., a rehabilitation and nursing center, shows an Easter card and stuffed rabbit she received from Tioga County Rural Ministry. TCRM recently dropped off these gifts to residents. The card was hand-made by an Owego Elementary student. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)
For her upcoming birthday, Clara looks forward to visiting her family home on Davis Hill Road, and where her son Mike resides. Clara calls it “the farm,” and, interestingly, three silos were transformed into living spaces on the property.
Daughter Kathy, from Kingston, N.Y., visits every two weeks and another son, John Jr., lives in Boonville, N.Y. Along with her three children, Clara has five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Today Clara is hard-of-hearing, but if you get up very close to her ear she understands and can handily answer your questions. She keeps a keen sense of humor, too, and Mike noted that she still has an amazing memory.
Clara Thurston Ross Bernard, a resident at Riverview in Owego, N.Y., a rehabilitation and nursing center, welcomed a special visitor to her room last week. Clara’s daughter, Kathy Cavano, remarked that Clara did not receive any candy, but loved the Easter Bunny visit! Clara will turn 101 on April 12. Provided photo.
Prior to Riverview Clara had an apartment at Long Meadow and lived alone well into her 90s. She didn’t necessarily say she had a green thumb, but outside her window there she was given permission to plant an apple tree, and often wonders how it is faring.
Clara’s husband, John Sr., passed away in 2007. John owned and operated Bernard Electric in Owego for over 50 years, was a Master Electrician, and retired from I.B.M. after 27 years of service. I.B.M. is what originally brought the Bernard’s to Owego.
While raising a family, Clara also helped with the bookkeeping for the electric business, and Kathy noted, “Mom always had a pot of coffee on for visitors to the electric company.”
When asked about secret tips for living a long life, Clara grasped the hands of two of her children, and with a beaming smile, shared, “These are mine.”
Clara Thurston Ross Bernard, a resident at Riverview in Owego, N.Y., a rehabilitation and nursing center, is pictured with John Hadix, a caregiver at the facility. The family is pleased with Clara’s care at Riverview, and daughter Kathy Cavano remarked that the staff is kind and wonderful. Provided photo.
It’s evident that Clara’s family holds special meaning in her life.
Coffee may be one of her secrets to longevity, although Clara didn’t necessarily say so. When Mike refilled her cup, she said, “Mmmm, this is good coffee,” and looks forward to when Mike visits with coffee in hand.
At lunchtime, Mike offered Clara a small bowl of mashed potatoes. She picked up the bowl, hesitated, and then indicated she wasn’t hungry just yet.
Within a few seconds, however, Mike placed a spoon in a small cup of ice cream and Clara gladly accepted it. Ice cream may be another one of her longevity secrets, although she didn’t necessarily say so. Clara just grinned and smacked her lips as she took small spoonfuls of the sweet treat.
A family memory was sparked when they recalled trips to the former Pat Mitchell’s ice cream parlor in Endicott. The family reminisced about Clara’s 90th birthday as well, and where she enjoyed playing casino games at Tioga Downs, a go-to destination for a few years.
Kathy remarked, “Mom loves casinos.”
The mother-daughter duo went on two cruises together that featured casinos, and they also took a trip to Las Vegas.
Once her children grew up and had families of their own, Clara lived an active life with her husband. They enjoyed life on the road, and spent many years traveling south to Florida and Georgia in their motorhome.
It was in Georgia where one chapter of Clara’s genealogy search was discovered. She visited Tybee Island, Ga. with Kathy in 2014, and celebrated her 91st birthday there.
It seems Clara has some famous ancestors, including Revolutionary War Brigadier General James Screven, and for whom Fort Screven on Tybee Island is named. Clara said she is the General’s great-great-great granddaughter.
Clara’s father, Frank W. Ross, was a playwright and also wrote operas and her mother, Ruth Ross, broke a glass ceiling by being awarded a liquor license for a tea room she opened in Elmira, N.Y. in the 1930’s. Clara’s grandfather, Frank Ward Ross, Sr., was a respected physician in the Elmira area who made contributions to the field of radiology. An x-ray machine bears his name.
Today, although Clara isn’t as active and often remains in her room, Kathy said she looks forward to her weekly “Owego Pennysaver,” and is sometimes up for a beloved childhood game of ring toss and, Kathy remarked, “She’s still quite good at it, too.”
Memories were sparked about playing softball and horseshoes in her younger years, and then baking homemade cookies like kolache and pizzelle.
Clara mused, “Those were the days!”
This was such a joy to read. Clara is my great-aunt. I only met her a handful of times as my dad was adopted and raised his family several states away. I remember meeting Aunt Clara for the first time in 1984 when I was 14. I distinctly remember her telling stories of the family history (we had all only just met my dad’s biological family that summer) and her good home cooking. I remember visiting one other time as a young adult where they had build a magazine worthy home from three silos. My firstborn was just 13 months old. It was surreal to be in the presence of such wonderful people and learning about family, all of the generations together. There are stories to be told! I have often thought of her and wished I had lived closer to learn more of my heritage. So delightful to have stumbled on this article ❤️
Clara was my father’s sister. We used to go to my Aunt Clara when I was younger. I was always amazed at how they built their home from a silo. When we were younger not far from my Aunt Clara’s house we go to a bridge that everyone called rags to riches. I still have the copy of family tree that my aunt started and now my sister and I are doing the Ancestry online and filling in many of the blanks. My daughter was 3 when we had our family reunion and we all finally met each other at my Aunt Clara’s. I used to love going to the farm when I was younger, I haven’t been there in many of years now. Was wondering reading about my Aunt Clara.