Claire Alice Smith Casey, 94, died peacefully on December 30, 2012, in Medway, Mass. She was a longtime resident of Natick, Mass.
Claire A. Casey was born on July 4, 1918, the daughter of Alice (Buckley) and Albert Smith of Framingham, Mass. She often said she was quite old before she realized that all those wonderful fireworks every Fourth of July weren't just for her. She graduated from Framingham High School and attended Framingham State College.
She married Edward Lawrence Casey on April 22, 1941, in Framingham. He predeceased her on Dec. 27, 2009. They were married for 68 years. Theirs was a long and loving marriage. They shared a deep love for their family, for the Cape, for sports and politics. They loved good food, laughter and a Red Sox win. After World War II, Claire and Ed lived in Barre and Rutland, Vt., before moving back to Natick, where Ed was a teacher, coach and administrator in the Natick schools. There she raised her two children, Paula and Michael. In her later years, she was a big fan of National Public Radio. NPR provided hours of news, entertainment and music.
Survivors include Michael Casey, his wife Claire, and their children, Erin and Ryan, all of Medway; as well as Paula Casey Bellerose and her husband, George Bellerose, of Weybridge, Vt., and their daughter, Anne, who is currently in New Zealand. Claire was especially proud of her grandchildren and their accomplishments.
Her family will always remember her sweet and sunny disposition, her kindness, warmth and thoughtfulness.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral on Friday, January 4, at 8:00 A.M. from the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Linus Church at 9:00 A.M.
Interment St Patrick Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Edward and Claire Casey Scholarship, c/o Natick High School, Guidance Department, 15 West Street, Natick, Mass. 01760. The scholarship benefits a deserving student who is the first in his/her family to attend college.