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Bellport, Central Islip and Long Island’s expansive running circle are mourning the loss of Estella Clasen, a beloved educator, athlete and community leader, who died on Wednesday, Jan. 8, following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 74.
A longtime Bellport resident, Clasen taught physical education for 33 years in the Central Islip School District, where she inspired countless students with her passion for fitness and wellness.
She was a steadfast supporter of the National Circus Project at Charles A. Mulligan Elementary School, a program that taught circus skills and culminated in a cherished annual showcase event.
A gifted runner, Clasen served as a role model to her students through her own athletic endeavors. She competed in local and national track and field events, capturing the women’s 10K title at the Empire State Games and was a standout competitor in the women’s master’s category during the Long Island Grand Prix series in the 1990s.
She introduced her husband, Bob, to the sport — often finishing races ahead of him, including the Long Island Half-Marathon and the New York City Marathon.
Clasen’s passion for running led her to become a cornerstone of the Bohemia Track Club, where she served as president and membership director. Club members fondly remember her as its “heart and soul.”
When knee injuries ended her competitive running career, Clasen turned to ballroom dancing, another arena where she and Bob excelled. The couple performed locally and competed in national amateur dance competitions, earning top-three finishes in the American Rhythm seniors category at the USA Dance Sport National Amateur Dance Championships.
Deeply missed
Condolences and remembrances poured in for Clasen’s family on social media on Wednesday.
“Words cant express my sadness. You will be deeply missed. You where so strong and amazing when you where healthy and even more when you where sick,” Clasen’s niece Michelle Wakely wrote on Facebook. “Your love and compassion right down to the end was powerful and I’m so grateful you answered my phone call.
“You’ve always showed us all so much love and definitely taught me a thing or two,” she continued, “RIP my beloved Aunt Estella. You where an amazing role model right down to the end.”
“Estella was an awesome lady. She lived a exciting and active life which she shared with her husband Bob,” Joseph Fallarino commented on a Facebook post announcing Clasen’s passing. “Nowhere was she more awesome than in all the dance routines she did with Bob. Even in her illness, she showed nothing but class and courage.”
A ‘fierce, bright light’
“She was a fierce and bright light on and off the dance floor who fought her battle with strength and grace,” wrote Jaime Marie on Clasen’s Facebook wall.
In fact, Clasen persevered during her lengthy battle with cancer, staying active and traveling with her husband to Europe, as recently as this fall, and attending school events in Central Islip.
Tara Maguire remembered Clasen as an inspiring woman.
“I am so sorry for the loss of a woman who was such an inspiration to so many,” she wrote. “Her strength, grace, and zest for life will be missed. My memories of her as a phys ed teacher and the many lessons I learned will always be cherished.”
Services for Clasen
A cheerleader at William Floyd High School, Clasen would go on to earn education degrees at SUNY Cortland and Adelphi University.
In addition to her husband, Clasen is survived by a large extended family that includes 19 nieces and nephews and 25 grandnieces and grandnephews.
A celebration of her life wll be held Sunday, Jan. 12, at Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home in Bayport, with from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A chapel service at the funeral home will take place on Monday, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m.
Top photos: Estella Clasen and her husband Bob were competitive ballroom dancers (Facebook).
