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A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena. Live video streaming on the Holy Family website will be available for those not able to attend. A reception with light refreshments to follow in the parish hall.
By the Richards Family:
Clara Marion Richards, age 91, passed away at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena on Sunday, September 11, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband Amedee Oliver Richards Jr., (Dick) and their son Amedee Richards, III, both in 2006.
Clara was the daughter of Benedetto and Carmella Centola and sister to Benedict. Her father emigrated from Italy.
She was born in New York and the family traveled west to California in 1935. She grew up in the Silver Lake/Sunset district where her father had a barbershop, frequented by movie stars, or so the family lore goes. Her mother worked in the garment district in downtown Los Angeles.
Clara attended Micheltorena Elementary School and Thomas Starr King Junior High. In 1948, she graduated from John Marshall High School.
She was an excellent stenographer and landed a job at the FBI upon graduation. A year and a half later, she had her first date with Amedee, an agent in the bureau. They tied the knot 6 months later and had a 56 -year long marriage. The following year, they started their family, after first settling in the Pico Rivera area. After three children, they moved to a larger house in South Pasadena, where they had the next six children, living in a 3-bedroom home, next door to the Robert Parada family, who also had 9 children. Their final move was to Wayne Avenue and into a 6-bedroom home.
Throughout Clara’s life, while raising her children, she volunteered at Holy Family Church, role modeling the value of service. After working part-time at World Imports in Alhambra, she eventually started her Family Fair career in South Pasadena in 1972. Originally owned by Marge and Larry Rice, Clara bought the business and became the entrepreneur she was meant to be, continuing the legacy of her father, and passing that on to many of her children.
Clara sold gifts, antiques, and candy in a store decorated with her keen sense of style. It was a place loved by many where multiple generations of families kept coming back for her friendly service and unique items. Clara ran Family Fair until her retirement in 2015.
In her later years she was a dedicated volunteer at the Good Shepherd Center of Homeless Women and Children, Pasadena Meals on Wheels, and the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, The Pasadena Museum of History, and most recently at the South Pasadena Friends of the Library Bookstore. She was active throughout her older years, and seemed to have the energy of a much younger person. She was an inspiration to so many people.
Family was a constant in Clara’s life. Sunday night dinners were a large part of our extended family starting when her parents hosted evening meals, and she continued the tradition upon their deaths. Many people who have been guests over the decades remarked on how special they felt being in her home, some even staying beyond dinner.
Clara is survived by her eight children: Vincent (Betsa) Richards, Judeth (Bill) Raser, Monica (Michael) Barry, Bianca Richards (Ron Koertge), Alicia Richards (Paul Stretch), Renée Richards (Robert Lopez), Colette Richards, and Thaddeus (Carrie) Richards. She is also survived by her eighteen grandchildren: Brooke (Cody), Vincent (Deena), Grant (Jumpoon), Anya, Lindsay, Scott, Kevin, Amedee (Roxsann), Codie (Derek), Madeline, Benedict, Jerome (Alexys), Francis, Jenna, Oliver, Shane, Thaddeus, and Chiara. She is also survived by her six great grandchildren: Rocco, Ronin, Phillip, Donovan, Zev, and Violet.
The family would like to thank everyone for being a part of her life. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the Good Shepherd Center of Homeless Women and Children (in Los Angeles), or the Pasadena Museum of History, or Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, or an organization of your choice in her name.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena. Live video streaming on the Holy Family website will be available for those not able to attend. A reception with light refreshments to follow in the parish hall.
