Clara (Judkins) Walsh of Glen, NH, formerly of Laurel, MD and Reading, MA passed away peacefully in her sleep June 5, 2014 at the Merriman House in North Conway. She was 86 years of age. Clara was a loving wife and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.

Clara was born in Boston Massachusetts on September 29, 1927, the daughter of Theodore and Stella (Bourne) Judkins. Clara had been a resident of Glen, NH for 17 years, Laurel, MD for 27 years and Reading, MA for 15 years. While living in Glen she was a member of the Garden Club and MWVAA (Mt. Washington Valley Arts Assn.) in North Conway. Clara was an accomplished artist winning many awards, prizes and ribbons for her beautiful drawing and paintings. Her work was displayed in various shows throughout the United States and overseas. She was instrumental in the creation of the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center located on the grounds of the historic Montpelier Mansion in Laurel, MD. This state-of-the-art facility opened in 1979 and houses 3 galleries, classrooms, and numerous art studios where visitors can observe the resident artists at work. Clara was also a member of the prestigious Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society of Washington, DC. A highlight of Clara's career was when one of her miniature paintings was accepted and displayed in a show at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC.

Clara was the beloved wife of 65 years to Francis D. Walsh. Devoted mother of James Walsh of Saco ME; Dave Walsh and his wife Donna of Reading; Janet Hogan and her husband Kevin of New Smyrna Beach FL; and Laura Dobrzykowski and her husband Ken of Olney MD. Cherished sister of Barbara Keith of Quincy, MA and James Judkins of Marshfield, MA and the late Richard Judkins. Loving grandmother of Kerrie Doyle and her husband Jim, Kailey Walsh, O'Malley Walsh, John Walsh and wife Casey, James Walsh, Lindsay Walsh, Dan Hogan and his wife Kolleen, Erin Mercer and her husband Patrick, Shannon Hogan, Brian Hogan, Emily and Natalie Dobrzykowski. Great grandmother of Bennett and Lucy Walsh and Dean Mercer.

Clara's funeral will be held from the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading, MA on Wednesday, June 11 at 9:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Athanasius Church 300 Haverhill St. Reading at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Wood End Cemetery, Reading. Funeral home visiting hours will be held Tuesday from 4-8 pm.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Merriman House at Memorial Hospital 3073 White Mountain Highway North Conway, NH 03860, the Alzheimer's Assoc. MA/NH Chapter 480 Pleasant St. Watertown MA 02472 or the MWVAA PO Box 1603 North Conway NH 03860 (www.mwvarts.org).
For directions and on line guest book visit johnbdouglassfuneralhome.com