Claire D. DeLong

COLUMBIA — Mrs. Claire D. DeLong, 72, of Columbia, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 25, 2014, at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH, with her family at her side. She was born in Bloomfield, Vt., on Dec. 9, 1941, a daughter to the late Charles T. and Minnie (Gendron) Lavoie. Claire was a 1960 graduate of Stratford High School. After her education, Claire worked for a while at the Stratford Plywood Mill, then made her career in the housekeeping and laundry departments at the Coös County Nursing Hospital from which she retired as supervisor after more than 30 years of service. Claire’s faith and family were very important to her, and she was a dedicated communicant at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She loved to spend time with her family of which she was very proud, and she was very close to her sisters. She will be always missed and remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and aunt. Claire leaves behind her son, Robert DeLong of Columbia; her daughter, Norma Jean DeLong and husband Paul Barrows of Columbia; two sisters, Marguerite Breault and husband Leandre (Pete), and Anna Jean Lavoie, all of Bloomfield; two grandchildren, Tyler Barrows and fiancée Cherie of West Stewartstown, and Zackary DeLong of Columbia; a great-grandson, Tyler P. Barrows, Jr.,; as well as her nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her faithful feline companion Kirby, and Sable, her devoted dog. She is preceded in death by her husband of more than 51 years, Wayne DeLong, in March of 2014, and a sister, Rose Breault. There are no public calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, at the Sacred Heart Church in North Stratford with The Rev. Daniel Deveau as celebrant. A graveside committal service will be held in the spring at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. DeLong may be made to the St. Marguerite d’Youville Parish, for the benefit of Sacred Heart Church, P.O. Box 247, Groveton, NH 03582-0247. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Claire D. DeLong

December 9, 1941 - November 25, 2014