Teacher’s aide, longtime volunteer
Claire Noonan (Courtesy photo)
Claire M. Croft Noonan, 76, who worked for many years as a teacher’s aide in East Norwich, New York, and more recently served as an active volunteer at the Life Care Center of Littleton and the Clinton Hospital Guild, died December 20 at her home in Clinton after a courageous year-long battle with leukemia. She was the mother of Charles Noonan of South Shaker Road. She had been married for 42 years to her beloved husband, Charles F. Noonan, who died in 1992.
Claire Noonan was born in Providence, Rhode Island, to John T. and Estelle Wahl Croft. She worked as a teacher’s aide at the Vernon Elementary School in East Norwich before moving to New Britain, Connecticut, and later, in 1992, to Clinton. Besides working as a volunteer, she enjoyed spending time with her loving family and friends and loved to learn about their activities and interests.
Besides her son, Charles, she is survived by her daughter-in-law, Jean Noonan; her daughter, Mary, and her husband, John Malavenda, of Meriden, Connecticut; two sisters, Joan Raleigh of Warwick, Rhode Island, and Sally and her husband, Richard DiRocco, of North Providence, Rhode Island; a brother, John Howard Croft, and his wife, Mary Lou, of Warwick; and two grandchildren, Daniel and his wife, Ioana Noonan, of Woburn and Brendan Noonan of Harvard. She also leaves a brother-in-law, George Whittaker of Coventry, Rhode Island; a sister-in-law, Ann Croft of Warwick; and many loving nieces and nephews from her extended family. She is predeceased by her brother, John Croft, and two sisters, Jacqueline Whittaker of Rhode Island and Ernestine Gorman of Texas.
A memorial service was held Saturday, December 30, at the Congregational Church. Instead of sending flowers, those who care to do so may make a memorial contribution to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, c/o Donor Services, P. O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.
