Clara Reece Day's Obituary
Clara Day Obituary
Clara Reece Day Clara Reece Day, 93, of Oberlin, passed away September 6, 2018. She was born on September 17, 1924 in Orsova, Rumania. As an only child, Clara accompanied her physician father to visit patients on the Yugoslav side of the Danube River. When she turned ten, she went to a convent school in Turnu-Severin for her education. In addition to already knowing Rumanian and Hungarian, she learned to speak English, French, Russian and German and even Japanese. An English pen pal Jo Dodds became her life-long friend.In 1940, the Germans occupied Rumania. With all the deprivation and brutality surrounding her, Clara’s parents gave her their blessing to apply for a visa to England, leaving with one small suitcase, no money, and a cherished watch, which was confiscated from her. Clara secured a job that was supposed to be a nanny but turned out to be indentured servant. Living in unheated quarters, the Dodds rescued her and gave her shelter.After working as a translator of foreign correspondence and technical documents. She began working with the Rumanian diplomats in England and then the Communists who replaced them. In 1951, Clara’s language fluency helped her secure a translator job with the British Garment Workers’ Union taking her to France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, and Holland.In 1959, Clara was employed by Dunlop Rubber Company, and helped initiate trade with Eastern Europe, Russia and beyond. In the late 1950s and 1960s with as many as 3 jobs, Clara passed exams to become a Fellow of the Institute of Linguistics leading to translator work with the BBC and news for their Rumanian sector. One of many highlights included meeting Khrushchev in 1961. On a business trip in 1965 to Prague, she met Cyrus S. Eaton, Jr. That serendipitous meeting lead to a business partnership from 1965 until 1985 and a life-long friendship. They were pioneers in trading with Eastern Europe, Russia, and China. As chief negotiator and president, Clara work took her from London to contract negotiations in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. With privileged access to the top Communist elite, she navigated their complicated economic and political systems. Together, with more than 140 projects their pioneering work opened global doors and included two films The Fixer filmed in Budapest, Hungary, and The Blue Bird filmed in Russia, Clara connected directors, actors, and film-makers including as George Cukor, Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda, Ava Garner, Allan Bates, and Cecily Tyson. Her presence smoothed the way to provide clear communication, western food, and comfortable accommodations. In 1999 Clara Reece wrote Breaking the Diamond Ceiling with Phillip Iannarelli detailing her life time experiences.When Clara officially retired, her passion for volunteering with Hospice of the Western Reserve connected her to Tom Day, a world wind romance and marriage. They shared their love of gardening and traveling by train to visit Tom’s large family. Clara and Tom lived in Oberlin but moved frequently around Oberlin and the greater Cleveland area. Clara was a pioneer. She was a survivor. She competed fearlessly in a world populated by men. She navigated communistic and capitalistic business styles. She traveled the world and met many fascinating people. She was fiercely loyal. She had a sharp tongue and always said what she thought. She loved an argument. She was a voracious reader. She loved cooking and entertaining. She was very generous and was always giving away her things, as possessions were not important to her. A memorial service will November 4, 2018 at 2pm at Kendal of Oberlin, 600 Kendal Dr. Oberlin, Ohio to memorialize her amazing life. Any friends of Clara are welcome to attend. Any questions please reach out to Jill Herron at Welcome Nursing Home ([email protected]) where Clara found a secure a loving home for her last years. Arrangements were in the care of Dicken Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Elyria. SERVICES Memorial Service Sunday, November 4, 2018 2:00 PM Kendal at Oberlin 600 Kendal Dr. Oberlin, OH 44074
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