Claire Rita (Brodeur) Gronlund, 93, of Acushnet died on June 26, 2020 at Sacred Heart Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a long period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Arthur H Gronlund.
Claire was born in New Bedford, daughter of Clement “Bob” Brodeur and Olivine (Gingras) Brodeur. She was a member of New Life Pentecostal Church in Acushnet.
Claire’s nursing career spanned 50 years, working at St. Luke’s Hospital in the operating room and as an occupational health nurse at Chamberlain Manufacturing Company.
Claire learned the skillful art of communication, resilience and camaraderie as a result of being one of seven siblings. She graduated from New Bedford Vocational High School and was honored with the lifetime career achievement award. A fabulous cook, who for her entire life hosted countless dinner parties that became the springboard for introducing new and exciting people into her intriguing circle of friends.
Widowed at 52 years old, Claire joined the New Bedford YWCA initially attending the Women Alone program. She was nominated to the Board of Directors and then elected President of the YWCA during its 75th anniversary celebration. In 2011 in celebration of the New Bedford YWCA’s 100th anniversary, Claire was chosen as one of the “100 Women For 100 Years” commemorative publication.
The leadership skills honed during her presidency at the YWCA provided the confidence necessary to challenge the norm by becoming the first female to chair the St. John Neumann Lakeside Festival.
Courage and curiosity motivated Claire to seek new adventures. A prime example was when at 60 years old she became a sailor, single handing her sail boat “Pee Wee” on Buzzards Bay. Claire’s sailboat was the preferred venue for her many “Sandwich Parties” that became the talk of the marina. Claire was well known and respected for setting a high bar in all of her endeavors.
As Claire became less active physically due to advancing age, her artistic creativity blossomed by first specializing in hand painted folk novelties that evolved into a successful cottage industry. Not resting on her laurels, Claire founded “Shells By Claire”. Her original hand painted and decoupaged quahog shells bring joy to countless families.
Claire is survived by her daughter, Doreen Denault and her husband Tobey of New Bedford, her son-in-law, Jean Bonville of New Bedford, her granddaughters, Amy and Annie, her great-grandchildren, Lucy and Thomas, and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Lynn Bonville, her grandson, Michael Bonville, her brothers, Andre, Raymond, and Clement Brodeur, and her sisters, Gabrielle Hablinski, Therese Barrette, and Jacqueline Allain.
A memorial service will be held at a later date and Claire will be laid to rest at Acushnet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to New Life Pentecostal Church, 789 Main St., Acushnet, MA 02743. Private arrangements are in the care of Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online tributes please visit: www.saundersdwyer.com.