Clara E. Fairbairn, 95, of Vero Beach, passed away on June 10, 2016, at her residence in the Harbor Chase Assisted Living Facility.
Service will be held on Saturday, June 18 at 1 p.m. at the St. Augustine Episcopal Church, Vero Beach. Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory is handling arrangements; www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.
She is survived by a daughter Laile Fairbairn living in Vero Beach; sons Stephen Fairbairn (Qing) of Pacifica, Calif. and Bruce Fairbairn of Miami; she had three grandchildren, Laile Marie Fairbairn, Laile Blaskey and John Fairbairn; and four great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband of 69 years. Lt. Col. USA Ret Henry A. Fairbairn.
As the wife of an US Army Officer she traveled with her three children to several stateside stations as well as living two years in Japan and three in France. During the 16 years she lived in Bowie, Md., she worked as an administrative assistant at Bowie State College and The Easter Seal Society.
After retiring from service, Fairbairn and her husband settled in Vero Beach in 1978.
She was a polio survivor and that did not stop her from being very active in many organizations and causes. While in Vero Beach she was a member of many volunteer organizations: She was the Co-Director of Freedom of Choice, past president of The Wives Military Officers Association of America , a charter member of the Indian River Leave of Voters and NOW. Was one of the founders of the Indian River County Planned Parenthood where she was on the advisory council for many years. She was also active in the Democratic Party of Indian River County. She was a strong advocate for women’s rights and their right to medical privacy.
Among her many hobbies were playing bridge, knitting, sewing, counted cross stitch and in her later years beading. She was an avid reader.
Arranges are being made by Thomas Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood.
A memorial service will be held at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church 475 43rd Ave, Vero Beach, FL 39268 (772) 770-3494 on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 1 p.m. A reception in the Parish Hall will follow the service.
At a later date there will be a service at Arlington National Cemetery.