Claire F. (McDonough) Gerstel, a 53 year resident of Halifax, passed into eternal life on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Tufts Medical Center in Boston following a brief illness. She was 85 years old.
Claire was born in Boston on October 18, 1927, a daughter of the late Mary (McGillan) McDonough. She grew up in Dorchester where she attended the Boston Public School system. Claire worked for over 20 years as an operator and investigator for New England Telephone Company. She was a member of the New England Telephone Pioneers of America and the Ladies Auxillary, Halifax V.F.W. Post. Claire enjoyed writing poetry and singing Irish melodies.
Claire is the beloved wife of the late Roy A. Gerstel. She is the devoted mother of Leo R. Gerstel and his wife Karen of Melrose and Roy A. "Ronny" Gerstel of Bridgewater. She is the loving Gram to Kevin R. Gerstel, Bridget L. Gerstel and Karen Craffey. She is the beloved sister of Catherine "Kay" Duffy of Stoughton and the late Virginia Collins, Francis and Charles McDonough. she is also survived by many nieces & nephews.
Visiting hours in the Sullivan Funeral Home, 2 Maquan St., at the corner of Rte 14 & 58 in HANSON on Wednesday from 9 AM to 10:30 AM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11 AM in St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1 Maquan St., Rte 14 in Hanson. Interment in the Veterans Administration National Cemetery in Bourne at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Claire's name maybe made to St. Anthony's Shrine, 100 Arch St. Boston, Mass. 02110.