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Claire Jannetti of Branford died on May 5. She was born March 14, 1935, in Brownington, Vermont to the late Ulric Choiniere and Clara Larocque Choiniere. She was their eighth child and the oldest daughter. She grew up with her nine siblings: Victor, Raymond, Olvide, Leonel, Reynold, Alton, Alcide, Harvey, and Theresa.

Living in Vermont was hard work for the whole family. Because she had seven older brothers, her mom thought it would be easier for Claire to attend boarding school for a year. She stayed at the school only for a year to return home to the teasing and torment of her older brothers. She moved to Stony Creek in 1956 where she boarded with Mrs. Vincenza Infantino.

Dad saw her in church and told himself, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” They officially met when dad was called down to Mrs. Infantino’s to fix a toaster and the rest is history. They were united in marriage Dec. 7, 1957, in St. Therese’s Catholic Church in Stony Creek. Dad knew there was a lady boarding there but did not know it was mom who was 21 at the time. Over the years, mom volunteered for many local charities and as a librarian’s assistant at the Branford Intermediate School and kept active in the community. She went to work for Ethan Allen Furniture in Branford in 1980.

When dad retired in 1991, mom began her hobby, for which she is renowned by the family and friends, quilting! She made quilts for many family members and friends over the last 30 years. She also made quilts just by looking at the pictures without the pattern! In addition to quilting, mom loved to cook but her strength was baking. Many cookouts and family meals were held at our house over the years, where we made many memories.

Claire is survived by her sons Joe (Patti) and Steve (Valerie) and her three grandchildren, Josh, Matt, and Jake. Other survivors are many nieces; nephews; great-nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Deanna Morrissey (Geoff); Gary, Meredith, and Addie Morrisey; Mickey and Bob Zoldak; Owen and Janice Choiniere; Sylvia Patterson; and Ed Gagliardi. Mom also had a special relationship with her mother-in-law, the late Mary Jannetti.

The family would like to thank the caring doctors and nurses at Yale New Haven Hospital for their care, as well as all her other care givers.

A graveside service was held on May 11 in the Stony Creek Cemetery in Branford. The W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to any organizations for diseases of the liver. Please see her online memorial at www.wsclancy.com.