Clementina “Clara” Mosca Zinno, daughter of Maria Callei and Angelo Mosca, Sr. was born June 6, 1918 and passed away peacefully on April 24th at the home of her daughter, surrounded by her son, daughter and loving family. 

Clara was predeceased by her devoted husband, Joseph Zinno with whom she shared her life and love for 70 years.  She is survived by her children: Janice Allen of Thousand Oaks, California and Richard Zinno of Fort Worth, Texas, their spouses Richard and Mary Ann, her grandchildren: Jessica Leatherman, Jeremy Zinno, Jennifer Arnett and Marcella Rolwes; and 10 great grandchildren.  She was also a loving grandmother to Kimberley Callei Allen.  Clara was the eldest sister to four siblings, all deceased: Domenic, Palma, and Angelo Jr., Mosca; and Giovanna Mosca Cafasso. 

Clara and Joe’s life together was an adventure that took them from coast to coast and around the world.  They made a home in four states, Florida, Rhode Island, California and Texas, and created lasting friendships wherever they traveled.  Their marriage was filled with change, new horizons, and boundless joy.

Throughout their lives they worked tirelessly to keep their family bonded, and their traditions strong.  In stark contrast to the norms of their generation, they bravely set out to follow their children and test life and climates beyond their comfort zones.  They made life for their kids and grandkids very special by their willingness to go to them, rather than asking everyone to come “home” to them.  Yet, everyone in the family has fond memories of the house on Windmill Street, Grandpa’s boat, and Grandma’s kitchen. 

In their travels they learned new things, made new friends, and carried their love of family with them to share with every new person they met.

Clara, our mother, greatest cheerleader and shoulder to lean on was an indominatable force.  She encouraged us to do our best, was never happy with mediocrity, and was ever so proud of our achievements.  She could fight like a tiger if one of her children or grandchildren was hurt, all the while maintaining her serene demeanor.

Clara’s family and extended family filled her life, and brought her great joy.  She was a homemaker par excellence, skilled pastry chef, expert tailor.  She outfitted her sisters in Vogue suits, when she was just a young woman herself.  Every special occasion required her special talent to design and sew beautiful clothes for herself and her daughter.  Every birthday required a very special cake of her design, and blueberry picking season meant hours of stemming, blanching and baking the flakiest of pies.

She loved her nephews, nieces, and godchildren as she did her own children.  Each one (and there were MANY) held a special place in her heart.  She loved opening her home to have it filled with children; and somehow, as if casting a spell, managed to induce them to be polite “as a gentleman”, and to sit up straight “like a lady”.

She volunteered at schools, hosted charity events, and entertained family and friends in her home.  To her husband’s business, she was chief financial officer, and executive assistant.  She and Joe would make midnight “runs” to deliver his work to his dentist clients before their morning patients.  They’d drink a cup of tea or hot chocolate and head to bed, content that the day had been a “good day”.

Clara was a true friend to so many, holding her friends close for almost a century!  She was admired for her perfectionism, her warmth, and her tireless spirit.  She judged no one harshly, and forgave those who might have hurt her.  She took great pleasure in the company of good friends.

To those who knew her when she was young, she was the embodiment of versatility: athletic, refined, hardworking, and quietly adventuresome.   In a time when maiden women didn’t travel, she traveled to the World’s Fair in New York, drove to Cape Cod with her friends, and visited the White Mountains of New Hampshire to enjoy the Fall colors.  She loved diving into the waves of the cold Atlantic, skating on frozen ponds, enjoying the competition of the tennis court, and riding horses through the nearby woods.  As a young mother, she taught her children to love the outdoors, bundling them in snow suits that looked like space suits, and sledding down icy slopes on sleds and toboggans, or water skiing on Narragansett Bay. 

Most friends and acquaintances remember her as the consummate hostess; whether the occasion was a formal dinner, spontaneous tea, or a backyard party.  Of course, the preparations and cooking were always her own.  Even “casual” gatherings were executed with her own special style and warmth, which she employed to embrace her quests.  One always felt special, in Clara’s home.

Wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, a “lady” always, Clara will be remembered for her beauty, grace, and quiet strength.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests the consideration of a donation to the following charities:

Mary Health of the Sick
2929 Theresa Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320

Attn: Kathy Tamashiro

Development Office

Please include “in memory of Clara Zinno” 

                                                 OR

HOPE Worldwide (as a special thanks to hospice nurse Jennifer Casano)

4231 Balboa Ave #330 | San Diego, CA 92117                           Attn:
Brooke Morita | Development Officer

Friends and family that would like to support the Medical Brigades can go to hopeww.org/donatecsb and check the "This gift is in honor, memory, or support of someone" box.  Checks made payable to HOPE worldwide can be mailed to the San Diego address with a note or comment in the check memo explaining the memorial gift.