Clara LiPani, 88

Clara LiPani, who was an active and devoted member of St. Terese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk, where she had lived with her family, died on Dec. 3 at the Martin Memorial Nursing Home in Stuart, Fla. She was 88 and had Alzheimer’s disease for five years.

Ms. LiPani was involved “in just about every church activity, always seeking to assist the faithful and to be of public service,” her family said. The family matriarch, she was known for her bright smile, they said, and in earlier years could often be seen on the beach in front of the family’s residence, enjoying “happy summers watching her family grow.”

Born on Christopher Street in New York City on Aug. 31, 1927, she was a daughter of John and Giovanna Zgaljardich, who were of Eastern European descent and among the many immigrant families in that part of the city. Her family later relocated to Whitestone, Queens.

On Sept. 18, 1948, she was married to Joseph J. LiPani. The couple lived in Queens, where Ms. LiPani worked as a homemaker, raising the couple’s four children. The family summered in Montauk, later moving there year round. Ms. Lipani, who often said her family was her life, enjoyed mah-jongg and boccie and was expert at tennis, often winning awards in Florida, to which she and her husband moved.

 Mr. LiPani, who lives in Stuart, Fla., survives, as do four children, Arthur LiPani of Woodbury, Conn., Joseph M. LiPani and Steven J. LiPani of Montauk, and Nancy A. LiPani-Ebel of East Hampton. Four grandchildren also survive, as do her siblings, Mary Moscoso, Al Zgaljardich, and Lee Scalard of Queens and Jane Babich of Massachusetts.

Ms. LiPani was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Flushing, where a service was held last Thursday at the chapel. Memorial contributions have been suggested to St. Therese of Lisieux Church, P.O. Box 5027, Montauk 11954.