Clara Marie Nearey

Clara Marie Herndon Nearey was born on January 20, 1931, and passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Spring Arbor Memory Care Unit.

Clara was predeceased by her loving husband, Martin Patrick Nearey, her father, Maurice Herndon, and her mother, Marie Varnell Herndon.

She is survived by her brother, Albert Herndon (Joy), daughter, Anne Marie Nearey Steiner (Ed), and her son, Kevin Michael Nearey (Christine).

She loved her six grandchildren, Marjorie Steiner Collins (Eddie), Jennifer Steiner Meisinger (Aaron), Joseph Steiner (Laura), Nathaniel Steiner, Elizabeth Nearey Sweeney (Justin), and Alexander Nearey (Nina).

Her great-grandchildren were her delights, Jacob, Fi, Lila, Maia, Fen, Adalyn, Audra, Kieran and Isla. Her room was filled with their photos.

She started out life in a hurry! She was born in Washington, DC, on the way to the hospital, in the back of her father’s car!

Clara worked at the Library of Congress for 33 years. She started out as a GS-2 Clerk Typist, working her way up to a GS-12. She was a hard worker and was asked by the Librarian of Congress at the time to be his secretary. She turned him down!

After her retirement, she took care of her mother, and then her husband during their illnesses. She had the great joy of taking care of two of her grandchildren.

She loved to entertain and gave wonderful dinner parties, and especially holiday parties. Her festive flair was to have a punchbowl filled with daiquiris. She also had a kid friendly punchbowl. She had a sharp eye and would detect when a youngster was trying to steal a sip from the wrong bowl!

Clara enjoyed sewing and making dresses for her granddaughters. She loved sitting on the screened porch, sightseeing, cooking, listening to music, going to concerts, plays and reading, until that became impossible. She loved to learn new things, and to share what she learned with her family. Candy was always her favorite, especially chocolate. She had a “sweets” drawer in her dresser, and everyone knew where to go to get a treat!

Since January of 2023, Clara was a resident of Spring Arbor of Frederick, Memory Care Unit. The family is very thankful to the staff for the kind, loving care she received.

In Clara’s honor, donations may be made to: The Alzheimer's Association, 502 Washington Avenue, Suite 300, Towson, MD 21204.

Viewing will take place at Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E Church St., Frederick, MD 21701 on Tuesday September 23, 2025 from 4pm to 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, 4103 Prices Distillery Rd., Ijamsville, MD 21754 on Wednesday September 24, 2025 at 11am. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20906 at 2pm.