Claire R. Inkel

BEECHER FALLS, VT—Mrs. Claire R. Inkel, 86, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 23, 2012, surrounded by many members of her loving family. She was born on Jan. 24, 1926, in St. Malo, Quebec, a daughter to the late Joseph and Corinna (Masson) Viens. Claire married Leopold “Paul” Inkel in 1945. For many years, Claire worked at the Beecher Falls Division of Ethan Allen, and she later worked in the housekeeping department at the Coos County Nursing Hospital. She also was a well-known maker of Christmas wreaths, and taught many others how to make them. She also loved to be a hairdresser for her many friends. Claire was a very hard-working woman who was always helping others. She cherished her family and friends and would do anything to help them. She was a perfectionist in all that she did. Her favorite times were spent at family gatherings and family dinners. Claire was a faithful communicant at St. Albert’s Catholic Church, and she was one of the area’s few “Gold Star Mothers,” losing her oldest son, Guy, in 1969 on the battlefield in Vietnam. She leaves behind her four children, Susan Cross of Gorham, NH, Peter Inkel and wife Donna of West Stewartstown, Pauline Couture and husband Bob of Canaan, and Carole Horton and husband Jim of Canaan; eleven grandchildren, Marise Burns, Caroline Cross Poulin, Karen Jorgensen, Danielle Dooley, Carmen Inkel, Paul Inkel, Maria Poulin, Michelle Johanssen, Corey Couture, Marc Inkel and Amy Horton; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. She is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Paul Inkel, in 1990; her son, Guy Inkel, in 1969; her oldest daughter, Diane Delorge in 2010; a granddaughter, Lisa MacDonald; and her six sisters, Claudia Robidas, Aldea Routhier, Eva Boyer, Aurore Thibodeau, Florence Perron, and Simone Thibeault; and a beloved son-in-law, Wendell Cross in 2007. Calling hours will be on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Albert’s Church in West Stewartstown, with The Rev. Craig Cheney as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Brendan’s Cemetery in Colebrook. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Inkel may be made to the North American Martyrs’ Parish for the benefit of St. Albert’s, 55 Pleasant St., Colebrook, NH 03576. 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 R. Inkel

January 24, 1926 - October 23, 2012