Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Claire L. (Felix) Howard, 83, of Hanson, Massachusetts died on November 18 at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Born in Weymouth, Massachusetts on May 8, 1938 she was raised in Hanover, Massachusetts. She graduated from Hanover High School in 1956 where she met her high school sweetheart, Donald Howard. They married on April 26, 1958 and celebrated their sixty-third wedding anniversary earlier this year. They built their home and raised their family in Hanson.
Claire was a school bus driver for Hanover Public Schools for over 40 years before her retirement in 2012.
Claire enjoyed being surrounded by her family and friends and was known for hosting her many holiday parties with no shortage of decorations. She was an active member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Hanover, MA and spearheaded fundraising efforts after the church sustained significant damage in a fire in 1986. Claire and Don enjoyed golfing with friends, dining at local restaurants, traveling throughout New England, and visiting family in Kentucky.
She is survived by her husband Donald Howard and their three children, Dianne Nicol and her husband Paul Nicol, Dawn Blauss and her husband David Blauss, and Darrell Howard and his wife Gayle Howard. Claire has six grandchildren Mary Nicol, Jason Nicol, Dana Heide and her husband James Heide, Caily Blauss, Kassanda Howard, and Korey Howard. She is also survived by her extended family Richard Stuecker, his wife Barbara Steucker, their children, and grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to attend her visiting hours on Monday November 22 from 4:00-7:00 PM in Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman and her funeral service on Tuesday November 23 at 10:00 AM at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 17 Church Street, Hanover.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church or a charity of your choosing.