Lia Clemens (née Lena Eva Maggilini) died peacefully in her home in Walnut Creek, CA on December 30, 2014 at the age of 88.

Lia is survived by her daughter, Rhoda Climenhaga, and her two sons, John Climenhaga and Royd Climenhaga Word. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Camille Weisgant and Ella Word and grandson Milo Word

Lia was born on December 1, 1926 in Rochester, NY to John and Beatrice Maggilini.  She was the first Italian-American initiated in to the sorority at Charlotte High School. She earned her Registered Nurse certification as an Army Cadet and then was awarded her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Education from the University of Rochester. She spent a year in New York City teaching at Cedars Sinai and traveled to Europe and across the US. In 1950 she got her pilot’s license.  In 1959 she married and had three children whom she dedicated her life to raising. Once they were grown she resumed her career in nursing spending the last 10 years at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital at Stanford University. Lia played bridge several times a week and was an avid crossword solver. In 1997 she was diagnosed with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, an auto-immune disease of the liver, which would eventually take her life.

Lia was an avowed Humanist. Her remains will be cremated. A memorial service is planned to coincide with the DePalma family reunion in Rochester, NY in July 2015. Donations can be made to the California Symphony, http://www.californiasymphony.org/#!donate-now/c368, or to the arts organization of your choice.