Clara U. Tolpa, 92, of Westmoreland passed away on January 21, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center with her family at her side. Clara was born in Schuyler, N.Y. on February 15, 1919 the daughter of Frank and Anna (Adsit) Upson. She was raised and educated in Frankfort and was a member of the 1936 graduating class. On January 18, 1980, Clara married Stanley Tolpa at the former Assembly of God Church in Utica. Mr. Tolpa passed away in 2002. She was a lifelong Christian and with her husband, Stanley, she enjoyed working in prison ministry. She was a nurses aid in various areas, including St. Joseph's Nursing Home in Utica. She was also a caregiver for Down Syndrome patients at home and in schools. Clara enjoyed writing and was a published author of three books of poetry. Clara is survived by seven children and their spouses, James and Janet Blunt, Westmoreland, Eunice Zoeckler, GA, Marcia and David Lasher, FL, Carolyn and Jerry Winfield, Waterville, Joanne Blunt, Endicott, Janice Cook, Waterville, Gary Blunt, Frankfort; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; one brother, Ernest Upson, Herkimer, as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she is predeceased by one son, John Blunt in 1996, three grandsons, and a sister-in-law, Jean Upson. Mrs. Tolpa's funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Heintz Funeral Home, 10 East Park Row, Clinton. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Memorial Park, Kirkland. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Tuesday evening from 4 - 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may donate to the American Heart Association or to COCVAC in Clara's memory. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of St. Elizabeth's Medical Center for the care and kindness shown to Clara and her family during this difficult time.