Obituary of Clara B. Saglio

Clara B. Saglio, 96, of Glastonbury, CT and Westerly, RI died June 21, 2018 at the palliative-hospice care unit at Middlesex Hospital surrounded by her loving family.  Born in East Hampton, daughter of Ernest and Fannie (Wilson) Brault.  She was a longtime Glastonbury resident.  Clara married John Saglio on January 1, 1941.  John, along with his father and brothers, founded and ran Arbor Acres Farm, a poultry breeding business.  By 1958, 50% of the chickens consumed in the world came from its breeding stock.  Clara worked in the business but was also active in various community activities.  She was a devout churchgoer and became the first woman deacon of Buckingham Congregational Church.  She also served on the Ladies Aide Committee, co-chaired the Church’s annual Strawberry and Harvest Suppers, and participated in the Church’s outreach program.  She was a volunteer serving lunches at the Clark House and for many years a volunteer and coordinator assembling the “Sharing Tree”, a senior newspaper.  Previously, she served on the Board of Directors of the local AARP and was an officer of the historic John Tom Hill Club which was famous for its annual chicken barbeques.  Clara was an avid setback and bingo player and enjoyed her weekly sessions at the Glastonbury Senior Center.  In her younger years she enjoyed snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, gardening, League bowling, biking and spending summers at the ocean in Westerly, RI.  Her greatest joy was a family gathering where everyone enjoyed her gourmet meals.  She was a very devoted wife and mother.  She was predeceased by her husband, John, as well as her two sisters, five brothers and grandson, Michael Risley.  She leaves her four daughters, Barbara Dirmaier and husband John of Burlington, VT, Bebe Dudley and husband Fred of Hebron, CT, Fran Knapp and husband Jim of Westerly, RI and Joan Saglio-Preiss and husband Fred of Glastonbury, CT; five grandchildren, Karen Risely of Hebron, CT, Cathy Knapp and husband Eric of Westerly, RI, Derick Dirmaier and wife Jen of Brooklyn, NY, Kristen Dirmaier of Bend, OR, Kimmy Dirmaier of Burlington, VT; three great grandchildren, Colin Risley of Hebron, CT, Jenna and Jessi Burke of Westerly, RI and many beloved nieces and nephews.  Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 3:30 pm at Buckingham Congregational Church, 16 Cricket Lane, Glastonbury, CT.  Burial will follow in Buckingham Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Buckingham Congregational Church.  For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.