Our precious mother, Clara M. Rabideau, 92, of Mooers Forks, passed away peacefully at her home on July 4, 2026, surrounded by the loving care of her family, home health care aides, and Hospice of the North Country.

Clara was born on November 16, 1933, at her grandparents’ home on Gero Road in Mooers Forks. She was the daughter of Eli and Rosina (Beebe) LaValley.

For 42 years, Clara worked alongside her husband, Raymond, on their family dairy farm in Mooers Forks. She proudly referred to herself as a “Farmerette,” embracing the many roles she held on the farm.

When Clara and Ray were first married, Ray played the fiddle in a local band, and Clara loved to dance. She enjoyed preparing Sunday family dinners and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her earlier years, she accompanied her husband as he hauled milk cans. Her life as a farmer’s wife included gardening, canning, blueberry picking, baking pies, and preparing generous meals for everyone who helped harvest corn. One of her important farm duties was driving the tractor while hay was being baled.

After retirement, Clara had more time to enjoy playing Skip-Bo and Dominos with friends and family. She also spent countless evenings traveling to different places to dance. Clara was a member of the Ladies of St. Ann’s in Mooers Forks.

Clara married Raymond C. Rabideau on June 6, 1953. They shared 47 years of marriage before Raymond’s passing.

Left to cherish Clara’s memory are her children, Steven C. Rabideau (Sharon), Judy R. Baker (Brian), and Caroline A. Rabideau (Brent Desranleau); her son-in-law, Richard T. Payne, Jr.; five grandchildren, Dana Boeshore (Christopher), Jenna Garrand (Mark), Kristen Grue (Ellsworth), Chelsea Fergusson (Spencer), and Nathaniel Rabideau (Mercedes); and 10 great-grandchildren, Cullen Boeshore, Bennett Boeshore, Amelia Grue, Henry Grue, Isabelle Grue, Luella Grue, Layla Rabideau, Evelyn Rabideau, Harrison Rabideau, George Rabideau, and Owen Fergusson. She is also survived by her sisters, Ann Kinney (Richard) and Deborah Waddell (Michael Brockway); several nieces and nephews; and one nephew who was especially near and dear to her heart, Edward Guerin.

In addition to her parents and husband, Clara was predeceased by her children, Baby Alan Rabideau and Carol R. Payne; and her siblings, Theresa LaValley, Doris White, Rita LaValley, Andrus LaValley, Mildred Bodah, and Maurice LaValley.

Relatives and friends are invited to call Friday, July 10, 2026 from 4-6 pm at Rabideau’s Funeral Home at 5614 U.S. Route 11 in Ellenburg Center, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 11 am at the St. Ann’s Church in Mooers Forks. Committal prayers and burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Mooers Forks. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Ellenburg Depot Fire Station at 5035 US-11, Ellenburg Depot.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Clara M. Rabideau may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Kidney Fund.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Clara’s doctors; her baby sister, Deborah Waddell; her nephew, Edward Guerin; and her wonderful caregivers, Lori Cenname, Jennifer Bond, Tina Vincent, Tinna Bissette, Kim Peake, and Emily Bond, for their kindness and attentive, loving care.

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.rabideaufuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the Rabideau Funeral Home, 5614 Route 11, Ellenburg.