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First Posted: 1/9/2013
Claire Smith Williams, age 95, passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2013, after a brief illness.
Born May 24, 1917 in Carbondale, Claire was the youngest of four daughters of the late Carrie Poad Smith and Frantz Warren Smith.
Claire went to Cedar Crest College in Allentown where she met her true love, Gordon L. Williams, who was attending Muhlenberg College nearby. After both graduated, they married on Valentine’s Day of 1942 at First United Methodist Church in Carbondale.
They were separated soon after by Gordon’s naval service during WWII. During this time, Claire taught in the Honesdale Public School System. After several years in Elmont, Long Island, where their son Gordon was born, Claire and Gordon settled in Forty Fort.
Claire was a dedicated volunteer in her community throughout her life, including her work as a member of the Nesbitt Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for 35 years, serving on the Nesbitt Hospital Board, and her active membership at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Kingston. She believed that she was the oldest current member of Holy Trinity and was very proud of that achievement.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gordon L. Williams; her great-granddaughter, Violet; and sisters, Louise, Margaret and Edythe.
Claire was a loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Her memory will be cherished by her family and all who knew her, including her son and daughter-in-law, Gordon L. and Cecilia M. Williams, with whom she resided; grandchildren, Carrie and Ronald Timko, Gordon and Regina Williams, Cecilia and George Hebda, Sarah and Wichitah Leng, and Laura Williams; and great-grandchildren Lily, George, William and James Hebda and Gordon Williams.
Claire’s entire family thanks the staff at River Street Manor and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital who lovingly cared for her during her illness. Your dedication and kindness is appreciated.
Celebration of Claire’s Life will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at McLaughlin’s – The Family Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St. in Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Hanover Township. Visitation will be held at McLaughlin’s on Thursday from 4 until 7 p.m., and Friday beginning at 10 a.m.
Permanent messages and memories can be shared with Claire’s family at www.celebrateherlife.com.