Claire “Clarabelle” Alice Jannetti

March 14, 1935 - May 5, 2022

Claire Jannetti was born on March 14, 1935 in Brownington, Vermont to the late Ulric Choiniere and Clara Larocque Choiniere. She was their 8th child and the oldest daughter. She grew up with her 9 siblings: Victor, Raymond, Olvide, Leonel, Reynold, Alton, Alcide, Harvey, and Theresa. Living in Vermont was hard work for the whole family. Because she had 7 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 on December 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, 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 which she is renowned for 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), Steve (Valerie), and her 3 grandchildren, Josh, Matt & Jake. Other survivors are many nieces, nephews, greatnieces and nephews, sisterin-law Deanna Morrissey (Geoff), Gary, Meredith, and Addie Morrisey, Mickey and Bob Zoldak, Owen and Janice Choiniere, Sylvia Patterson, 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 caregivers.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 1:00 at 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 @ www.wsclancy.com.