Saratoga Springs, NY - Flora D. Clements, died peacefully after a long illness Thursday June 17, 2010 at Maplewood Manor. She was 87. Born on October 30, 1922 in Middle Grove, NY, she is the daughter of the late Chester and Ethel (Coombs) DeRidder. Soon after, the family bought a dairy farm on Long Island and later in Mariaville. Flora was always proud to be a farmer's daughter and had many happy stories to tell about "home on the farm". Flora was extremely proud of her Dutch and Scottish heritage, and spent many years tracing her familys genealogy. Her Dutch ancestors, the DeRidder's, settled near Schuylerville in the 1600s, and donated the land to build the Dutch Reformed Church there. Floras Scottish ancestors were the Crawford's of the Lindsay clan (on her fathers side) and the Crandalls (her mothers family), who descended from King Malcolm of Scotland. Flora was proud that she could wear both the Malcolm and Lindsay plaids. Flora worked her way through Oneonta Teacher's College, then earned her required 30 graduate hours in Boston. She was planning to go to Scotland to complete her Master's degree when she received and accepted a marriage proposal from Bill Clements. She would later say that that was the best decision she ever made! She and Bill shared 59 wonderful years, and enjoyed a trip to Scotland together some years later. She passionately taught elementary school for 37 years, the majority as a fourth grade teacher at Caroline Street School, retiring in 1982. After retirement, Flora would take long daily walks, exercise classes at the YMCA, volunteered at Hospice, the Saratoga Hospital Medical Library, Meals on Wheels, and the local soup kitchen, and enjoyed spoiling her granddaughters! She was an active member of the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church where, over the years, she sang in the choir, served as Sunday school superintendent, was a member of the Ruth Circle, and enjoyed many evenings of fellowship. Flora loved to travel, go to the ballet and orchestra, attend retired teachers' functions, read, do crossword puzzles and spend time with friends and family. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Chester and Beth DeRidder. Survivors include her husband, William Clements; two sons, Phillip and James Clements, one daughter, Peg Thompson and her husband Rick and two granddaughters, Katrina and Sarah Thompson. Services will be conducted at 11am Monday (June 21, 2010) at the United Methodist Church, Henning Road at Fifth Avenue, by the Rev. Yohang Chun. Private burial will be at the convenience of the family at Greenridge Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (584-5373). Memorials may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association, 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, NY 12206 Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.