Mrs. Claire J. (Saltzman) Syiek a resident of Andover since 1967 and beloved wife of Alfred C. Syiek passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on the 29th day of December 2014. She was 84 years old.
Born in Lynn, MA on June 14, 1930 she was the beloved daughter of the late William E. and Hilda (Bartoletti) Saltzman. Claire was a proud graduate of the Somerville High School Class of 1947 where she yearly attended reunions with her classmates. Her graduating class of 1949 from the Bentley School of Finance and Accounting (now Bentley University) was one of the first to matriculate women. Besides working in her field, Claire was a trained opera singer and sang in opera productions in Worcester and Boston. She shared her strong soprano voice at many weddings, church, and other events.
In 1955, Claire met her husband Alfred (Fred) while commuting via train from Boston to Worcester; and so began a love affair that lasted 59 years. They were married in Worcester in January, 1956 and went on to raise a family in Wilmington and Andover. Besides her loving husband, Alfred, she is survived by her loving sister, Elaine J. Vaughan of Sun City, Florida and her loving children; David A. Syiek and his wife Cathy A. Nader-Syiek of Pittsburgh, Michael A. and his wife Bronwyn Syiek of Hillsborough, California, Diane L. and her husband Jeffrey W. Gwynne of North Andover, Linda J. and her husband Larry L. Streb of Andover and Paul A. and his wife Cherie A. Syiek of Norcross, Georgia. Claire adored her 16 grandchildren; Daniel, Samantha, Gregory, Sarah, Yuriy, Ben, Karly, Timothy, Lindsey, Tyler, Sean, Madelyn, Nick, Julie, Jessica and Luke and many beloved nieces and nephews. Claire was a fierce proponent of the notion that each member of her family could independently find their way in the world and she proudly shared their accomplishments.
Claire was a passionate gardener and spent endless hours in her backyard growing a shade garden. She shared her knowledge and her plants freely. She was a long-time member of the Andover Garden Club and an accredited flower show judge and also served as the Northern District Director of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. She ran many shows including the 2010 Topsfield Fair Flower Show and entered many arrangements over the years. Claire’s other love was swimming. She swam laps at the Andover YMCA for many years where she made dear lifelong friends. She also was a kind and loyal neighbor.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street on Monday, January 5, 2015, at 10AM. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Calling hours will be held at the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover on Sunday, January 4, 2015, from 4 to 8. Interment will be held at St. Augustine Cemetery in Andover. Donations in Claire’s memory can be made to the Senior Connections Program at the Andover Senior Center. Please make checks payable to the Town of Andover, The Center at Punchard, 36 Bartlet Street, Andover, MA 01810, notating “Senior Connections”. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.