COLUMBUS — Clara Callahan Schaff entered eternal life on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at Windsor Place in Columbus, with her family at her side. She was 90.

She was born to David Patrick and Clara Julia Hardtner Callahan in Palestine, Texas. During World War II, she was employed by the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. She studied at St. Mary’s College in San Antonio and was a violinist with Our Lady of the Lake Orchestra. Clara married Vincent Schaff in 1948 and moved to Vicksburg. During those 28 years in Vicksburg, Clara was a communicant of St. Paul Catholic Church, active in the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, the Vicksburg Home Demonstration Club, and involved in the St. Francis Xavier Academy and St. Aloysius High School Parent Associations. In 1976, Clara and Vincent relocated to Metairie, La., and resided there until Vincent’s death in 2001. In Metairie, Clara was active in the Young Elders of St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church and was also involved in the Newcomers Club of Metairie.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, David Patrick and John August Callahan; one sister, Ann Callahan Jones; and one granddaughter, Marie Danielle Guichard.

She was Vince’s “Yellow Rose of Texas.” Throughout her life, her Irish heritage brought joy and laughter to all those who loved her shining Irish eyes.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today at St. Paul Catholic Church with Father Gerard Hurley officiating. Burial followed at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home, Columbus.

Survivors are her son, Dr. David Callahan Schaff, Oxford; three daughters, Mary-Claire Maggio (Robert), Whitehall, Texas, Marian Theresa Beall (Joe), Columbus, and Jeanne Marie Guichard (Kenny), Metairie; seven grandchildren, Sean-Vincent and Damien Robert Maggio, David Everette Beall (Erin), Catherine Marie and George Martin Schaff, Clare Marie and Stephen Daniel Guichard; and two great-granddaughters, Callahan Tate and Sanders Anne Beall. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews and dear friends.

The grandchildren served as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Vicksburg Catholic School or Annunciation Catholic Church, 823 College St., Columbus, MS 39701.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the caring staff of The Windsor Place of Columbus, MS.