Obituary of Claire M. Donahue

Claire Marie Donahue, aged 88, was blessed with a beautiful and serene passing on Friday, July 10, 2015 at the NYS Veterans Home in Oxford, with family and special caregivers at her side. She joins her husband Robert, who predeceased her on February 26, 2015. Bob and Red, as he lovingly called her, are reunited just days before their 66th wedding anniversary. Claire graduated from St. Patrick's Academy and worked for the company, Estabrook, Korbel & Estabrook Insurance for many years while raising three children and holding down the fort while Bob traveled weekly for work. This entailed providing all the guidance and direction we needed at home, including the driving lessons. She even took a course for women in auto mechanics, allowing her to maintain the family vehicles. A talented seamstress, she made our prom dresses, Easter outfits and curtains for our homes. She raised us in the Catholic faith at St. Thomas Aquinas School and Church. In retirement, Claire was a member of the YMCA and enjoyed swimming and aerobics well into her 80s. She endlessly held grandchildren sleepovers, attended their musical concerts, sporting events and took them on numerous day trips. Claire, (Bhag as the grand & great grandchildren called her) was the best mother, grandmother, friend and person to love. She lived an amazing life and was so loved by all who were lucky enough to know her. Her smiling eyes and kind, gentle way will stay in our hearts forever. She is survived by her brother Stanley (Bonnie) Hayes and her children Patricia (Kevin) Burns, James (Carol) Donahue and Janice (Gary) Muehlbauer. Her grandchildren, Carolynn (Steve) Peloquin, Jennifer (Dennis) Sullivan, Kevin Burns, Jr., Ryan (Neva) Muehlbauer and Amy (John) Duhan and 9 great grandchildren. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the entire staff of the Oxford Veterans Home for the gracious, tender and heartfelt care they gave to both Bob and Claire in these last years. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Highland Ave., Binghamton on Friday July 31, 2015 at 11am. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Friday, July 31, 2015 from 10am until 11am. In lieu of flowers, expression of sympathy in memory of Claire may be made to the Alzheimer's Association CNY Chapter, 401 Hayes Ave., Endicott, NY 13760 or to the NYS Veterans Home at Oxford, 4207 State Highway 220, Oxford, NY 13830 Attn. Bobbie Jo White.