Clara Brito

Clara Engel Brito nee Punte, also known as “Claire” or “Lulu” was born August 31, 1915 . She lived most of her life in Baltimore City working many types of jobs, and rounding out her career at Westinghouse Defense Group. She was very proud of the fact that she worked on the Skylab TV camera that would be used on Apollo 11 orbiting space lab’s first lunar landing. In her words she “was born with an overabundance of confidence”. She always kept active with an adventurous spirit, climbing Lookout Mountain in Tennessee, white water rafting on the Youghiogheny River, camping in Myrtle Beach with bunches of grandchildren, there was never a dull moment.

She spent much of her time with her family, an avid reader always trying to learn about everything. Claire traveled to Florida often. She played the piano and accordian and was a talented artist. She continued to play cards, complete crosswords and word searches right up to the past few months.

Left to cherish her memory is her son Gilbert Engel and his wife Jo Anne, daughter-in-law Patricia Engel, brother Eugene Punte and wife Audrey, 21 grandchildren, many many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents August and Agnes Punte; sisters Mary and Gertrude Punte; brothers Joseph, Lawrence, Bernard, Richard and Alfred Punte; children Alfred, Bernard, and Richard Engel, Judy Neidenger, Claire Kennedy, and grandson Steven Engel.

Ms. Claire passed away peacefully at her son’s home, under the care of Hospice of the Chesapeake on March 9, 2020 at the age of 104. A Memorial Mass will be scheduled for a later date. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.