Louise Sinton Clay

Louise Sinton Clay, 90, of Tallahassee, passed away June 10, 2013. A Memorial Service in her honor will be held in the Maguire Center at Westminster Oaks, (4449 Meandering Way Tallahassee, FL 32308) at 1:30 on Wednesday, June 26. Born on May 27, 1923 as Louise Christine Sinton, in Richmond, VA, she was the daughter of William Sinton, USN, and Christine Lee Lincoln. As the daughter of a career Naval Officer she lived in various parts of the US, Hawaii and American Samoa. She was married to Robert Brannon Clay, USMC, for over 30 years and had three sons. Her family moved to Tallahassee in 1965 so that she and her husband could attend FSU where she graduated with an MS in Library Science; subsequently she was a librarian at Strozier for 21 years. Louise was committed to causes in which she deeply believed including Habitat for Humanity, The League of Women Voters, The Heifer Project, The Sierra Club, The Audubon Society, Saint Marks Wildlife Refuge and Big Bend Hospice. After overcoming polio at a young age, she led an active life, which included swimming laps several times every week through her 89th year. She was tougher than her petite frame would suggest and loved to water ski, kayak, canoe, camp and travel. She adored the beach and loved her family more than any of us will fully comprehend. Diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, she passed away peacefully in the early hours of June 10 after days of many visits by family and friends. Our beautiful and gutsy mother will be missed. Survivors include children, William B. Clay (Anna Rivola-Clay) of Modena, Italy, Robert L. Clay of Tallahassee, John M. Clay (Coleen Castro) of Tallahassee; a sister, Caryl Carlson of Gainsville, GA; and niece and nephew, Christine Carlson and Mike Carlson and family. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Tallahassee Habitat for Humanity (2921 Roberts Ave Tallahassee, FL 32310), Heifer International (1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202), The Nature Conservancy, (222 S. Westmonte Drive, Suite 300, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714), or Big Bend Hospice (1723 Mahan Center Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32308). Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com)

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Louise Sinton Clay

May 27, 1923 - June 10, 2013