Clara P. Recchia, 48, a long time New Canaan resident, died early Thursday morning, July 28, 2011, at home with her family by her side. Born April 14, 1963 in Settefrati, Italy, she is the daughter of Alessandro and Anna Socci Recchia of New Canaan. Clara was the youngest of four children and she and her family moved to the United States in 1965. She graduated from New Canaan High School in 1981. Clara was known for her passion and commitment to her family, her work and love of the outdoors. She was a much-adored aunt to her six nieces and nephews who knew her as their second mother and friend. Her bubbly, positive, personality brought joy to them and all those who knew her. She was known as “The Walker” for her daily six mile walks through Town and Waveny Park, no matter what the weather. Clara was a Registered Senior Client Associate and Director’s Assistant at Merrill Lynch, New Canaan where she had been employed for more than 30 years. She was strongly devoted to her job, her Co-Workers and to her Clients. She was a strong supporter of Cancer and Autism-related charities and gave generously of her time. She became suddenly ill in March 2011, with Brain Cancer. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sister, Maria Frattaroli and brother-in-law Claudio Frattaroli of South Salem, New York; her sister, Toni Allende and brother-in-law Manny Allende of South Salem, New York and her brother, Emilio Recchia and sister-in-law Dorothy Recchia of Norwalk, Connecticut. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Maelina Frattaroli, Nicholas Frattaroli, Celine Allende, Michael Allende, Joseph Recchia and Maria Recchia. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday August 1st at St. Aloysius Church, New Canaan at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan. The family will receive friends at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St. New Canaan on Sunday July 31, 2011 from 2 to 6 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to The National Brain Tumor Society (http://www.braintumor.org/ ) in memory of Clara Recchia.