Claire Markie (Coyne, Scray)
Claire Scray was born March 16, 1920 on the family farm near DePere, WI, and passed away on August 9, 2019, at Little Sisters of the Poor Family Residence in St. Paul, MN. Claire was the twelfth and youngest child of Nettie and Bill Scray. She received her education first at the one-room Kiley School, and later at St. Mary’s School in DePere. She graduated from DePere High School in 1938. She worked for the Union Hotel, and later was an operator for the Bell Telephone System.
In 1943 she married Tom Coyne, who was in the Army Air Corps and was stationed at Walla Walla, WA. Tom was later stationed in Florida for the remainder of World War Two, where Claire joined him. After the war, Claire and Tom moved first to Wisconsin, and then to St. Paul, MN, where Tom found employment. They moved to North St. Paul in 1947 and immediately joined St. Peter’s Church. They had five children. Claire was a stay at home Mom, and became a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, later the CCW. She began working part time in about 1962. Claire was widowed in 1965. After this she worked full time as an aide at St. John’s Hospital.
In 1972 she met and married Blaine Markie. During their marriage she worked in the kitchen at North High. After their retirements they enjoyed traveling, square dancing and playing cards, especially 500. She was again widowed in 2004.
Claire spent her last several years living at Little Sisters of the Poor Family Residence in St. Paul, where she started a 500 Club for the residents. She also learned to paint while at Little Sisters. Her life-long and favorite hobby, however, was people. She was always interested in everyone she met, and people were drawn to her kindness and her magnetic personality. To her, there were no strangers, just people she hadn’t turned into friends yet.
Claire is survived by children Peg (and Bob) Fortmann of Willmar, Marian Mottaz of North St. Paul, Patrick (and Margaret) Coyne of White Bear Lake and Tim (and Sharon) Coyne of St. Paul Park; step-children Marianne (and Gary) Moen of Forest Lake, Jim Markie of Woodbury, Patricia Olson of Osceola, WI, Denny (and Barb) of Lake Elmo, Karen Baker of St. Paul, and Joan (and Bruce) Hoye of St. Paul; 32 grandchildren; over 30 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by husband Tom Coyne in 1965; daughter Colleen Coyne in 1966; daughter-in-law Sue Coyne in 2003; and son-in-law Bob Mottaz in 2012. She is also preceded in death by husband Blaine Markie in 2004; step-son Bob Markie; step-daughter-in-law Willie Markie; and grandsons Brad Olson, Darrin Markie, and Brad Wills; her parents and her six brothers and five sisters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at CHURCH OF ST. PETER, 2600 N. Margaret St., North St. Paul on Monday, August 19, at 11:00, preceded by a viewing at 10:00. She will be buried at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery in White Bear Lake. Claire has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Little Sisters of the Poor Family Residence, 330 Exchange St., St. Paul.