Obituary: Clara Pauline Pate

 Clara Pauline Pate BIDDEFORD – Clara Pauline Pate, 91, formerly of Wildwood Drive, Saco, passed away peacefully at St. Andre’s in Biddeford on June 22, 2026. Born on Dec. 4, 1934, in Saco, she was the daughter of Joseph and Pauline (Wojaulian) Litwinowich, first generation immigrants from Poland. A graduate of Thornton Academy, she participated in sports and was a cheerleader. Clara was a longtime cashier and front-end manager at Shaw’s. She was a talented crafter: she could knit and crochet, she made everyone in the family personalized Christmas stockings. She sewed beautiful quilts, smocked dresses and made Halloween costumes for her grandchildren. She made teddy bears and porcelain dolls; she made lovely wreaths and floral arrangements from her beautifully tended gardens. She was a fabulous cook and baker and had so much fun cooking with her grandchildren. She was a “rockhound”, collecting rocks of many shapes, types and sizes from the many places she travelled. Clara enjoyed collecting “Cat’s Meow” wooden houses, traveling all over New England with her daughter-in-law, just to complete their collections of the wooden replicas of landmarks. Clara was also passionate about genealogy, her research took her all over the world, to many archives, libraries and cemeteries, researching her roots. Her favorite trip was to Belarus to meet long-lost family who became pen pals as they stayed in touch for many years after. Clara’s greatest joy was her family; each grandchild and great-grandchild brought her so much joy. She was their biggest fan, whether they were on a field, on the ice, at a musical or dance recital, Nana was there to cheer them on! During the pandemic and the start of her cognitive decline, she kept busy working on puzzles and enjoyed trading them with family and friends. Clara was predeceased by her husband of 72 years Robert Pate, her parents, brother Raymond “Red” Litwinowich and sister Josephine Choroszy. Survivors include her three sons: Dr. David Pate of Fairport, N.Y., and wife Susan, James T. Pate of Saco and wife Lisa, Stephen D. Pate of Old Orchard Beach and wife Gina; five grandchildren Lainey Kempton and husband Nick, Benjamin, Jonathan and fiancée Molly, Katherine, Jessica Warren and her husband Alec; and four great-grandchildren Jack and Natalie Kempton, William and Eleanor Pate. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 3–5 p.m., at Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, 365 Main Street, Saco. A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 29, 2028 at 11 a.m., at the funeral home with Rev. Beverly Lowell officiating. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery, where she will be reunited with her beloved husband Bob. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Resident’s Activities Fund at St. Andre’s HealthCare, 407 Pool Road, Biddeford, ME 04005. Copy the Story Link