Clara Miriam Windle

A light went out of our lives today with the passing of Clara Miriam Pechenik Windle, our wife, mother, Nana, aunt, sister and friend. Clara passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 after a brief illness. Born on May 7, 1921 in Cleveland, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Carl Gedeon Pechenik, who immigated to New York City from Austria, and the late Charlotte Peters Pechenik of Cleveland. Clara’s 94 years were full ones, spent with her husband of 70 years, Kenneth Craven Windle of Yorkshire England, and their sons, who with their families never lived more than a few miles from her. Ken, a British Merchant Marine, swept her off her feet in Brooklyn, New York as WWII was ending. They married in 1945 and lived in Brooklyn for many years. Her loving husband, Ken, took her many places over the years, including five cruises and two trips across the United States. Their favorite place, however, was Newark, Delaware where they have lived since 1965. Clara often said that Newark was a great place to live because it was so close to everything, but had a country feel. While in Brooklyn, she attended and graduated from Girls High School. Clara’s earliest job was as a bookkeeper for Tom’s Auto in Brooklyn for more than fifteen years. She later worked from 1978 until 1986 as a secretary with the University of Delaware Acadmic Computing Services. More important to her were her jobs as wife, mother and grandmother, where she put every ounce of her energy into knitting, crocheting, needlepointing, cooking, baking and conversing. She could talk with anyone, and rarely met a person that she didn’t like. Some of her happiest days were spent at the Nottingham Green Swim Club, where she sat and chatted with her friends for the past 50 years. Strong in her faith, Clara was a member of Head of Christiana Church for many years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Benjamin Buddy Pechenik and his wife, Althea. Many people were touched by Clara, but those family members who will miss her the most include her husband and soulmate, Ken; her sons, Richard Windle (LuAnn) and Derek Windle (Liz); sister, Joni Cappell (Harry); grandchildren, Ryan Windle (Tricia), Steven Riess (Bridgette), Michael Riess (Danielle), Diana Riess, Anna Windle and Nathan Windle; great-grandchildren, Zachary Windle, Ashlee Windle and Taylor Riess; her nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, as well as many dear friends. A memorial service to celebrate Clara’s life will be held at 8:00 pm on Tuesday evening, November 3, 2015 at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home of Newark, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where friends may visit with her family from 5:00 until 8:00 pm. Entombment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to a charity of choice.