Boby Clariana VonKanel October 5, 1923 - November 15, 2020

Mildred Neujita (Boby) Bradshaw Clariana, of Marvell, died as she wished - on her beloved farm, surrounded by her family, at the age of 97. Boby was born in Hickory Ridge. When she was 6, her father's job relocated the family to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she lived for the next 16 years. She attended a Catholic girl's school, became fluent in Spanish, and received her teaching degree while she lived there. She married Boris Clariana, a native of Buenos Aires when she was 20. In 1944, they returned to the United States to live on her parents' farm in Hicks, surrounded by her Gschwend uncles, aunts, and cousins.

For the next 18 years, Boby's life was filled with taking care of her growing family, using her Spanish as a substitute teacher at Marvell High School, and playing the piano and teaching adult Sunday School at Hicks United Church of Christ, where she belonged to the ladies auxiliary, and later at the Marvell United Methodist Church where she took part in the UMW. She was active in Eastern Star where she served in many leadership positions, and she volunteered at the Marvell Food Bank (Open Door Food Pantry), a charity she supported all her life.

When her children were grown, Boby started working at Oklahoma Tire and Supply in Marvell, Marianna, and West Helena where she worked for many years and was known as Mrs. OTASCO.

After her retirement, Boby continued her work in the community and the church and loved quilting, embroidery, making hand-crafted Christmas presents, and corresponding in Spanish with her Argentinian relatives and friends. Until her death, she could switch from English to Spanish and back again seamlessly.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Elisabeth Bradshaw; her husband of 28 years, Boris Clariana; and her husband of four years, Max VonKanel. She is survived by her daughter Frances Lawson, her son Bill (Patricia) Clariana, and her son Roy (Sarah) Clariana as well as 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and her loving caregiver Jerlester Freeman.

A memorial service was held in her front yard in Marvell. Interment was at Schaffhauser Cemetery in Phillips County. Services were directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena.