Clara Eliza McCollister Gadow, 83

PRESTON - Clara Eliza McCollister Gadow, of Preston, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2009, in Dorchester General Hospital in Cambridge. She was 83. She was born Sept. 25, 1925, in Church Creek, Dorchester Co., the daughter of the late Thomas and Mabel Meyer McCollister. Clara married Frederick Paul Gadow, a farmer, on Dec. 27, 1947. He preceded her in death on Sept. 30, 2007. She lived and worked near Preston for her entire married life helping to take care of the successful Gadow's Turkey Farm and other properties. She loved to talk to all of the customers and they loved it too. She and her husband began a 4-H Club and were leaders for seven years. She was very involved with the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Preston where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and was a member of the Ladies Aid. Clara was an outstanding cook and headed many large dinners and banquets, always volunteering. After the death of her beloved husband, her health seriously declined and she was hospitalized and in a nursing home. For the past year, she was in Mallard Bay Nursing Home in Cambridge where she received excellent care. Clara Eliza Gadow was one of a kind and now is with her Heavenly Father for all eternity. She is survived by a son, David Paul Gadow of Preston, and was the only girl among six brothers, three of which are surviving, Russell McCollister, Darcy McCollister and Granville McCollister, all of Cambridge; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Howard McCollister, Carl McCollister and Eldridge McCollister. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Preston with Rev. Donald Meyer officiating. Burial will follow in Hill Crest Cemetery in Federalsburg. Friends may call at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. All friends and family are invited to return to Immanuel Lutheran church following the graveside service for a luncheon. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 39, Preston, MD 21655. To share memories with the family please visit www.framptom.com.