Claire Frances Colbert Obituary (1933 - 2018)

Claire Frances (Mader) Colbert, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away surrounded by her loving family, on February 17, 2018. Claire will be remembered for her love of life, sense of humor, laugh and ever-present smile. Her positive outlook and unique ability to make everyone feel special will be her legacy. Claire was born on October 16th, 1933 to Irvin and Mary Mader and was raised in Medford. She graduated from Medford High School in 1951 and was employed by Converse as a key punch operator. In 1955, Claire married the love of her life William (Bill) Colbert. Immediately after they moved to Los Angeles, California where they resided for six years. They returned to Massachusetts and began their life in Chelmsford in 1962. Claires proudest accomplishment was her five children, twelve grandchildren, and one great grandchild! A doting mother, she encouraged her family in every aspect of their lives. Her life revolved around her children and their passions. Claire enjoyed reading, painting, arts & crafts, bingo, going to Las Vegas, summertime trips to the beach and was an avid movie lover. She was a long-time member of the Chelmsford Art Society and loved their annual 4th of July Art Show. A life-long communicant of St. Marys Church, Claire also taught CCD. Faith was an integral part of her life. In her final two years Claire thrived as beloved member of the Atrium Memory Impaired Assisted Living Community at Drum Hill. She was an active participant in the wide array of activities offered there. Claires family greatly appreciates the love, respect and compassion given to her by the Atrium staff. She will be deeply missed by Bill, her husband of 62 years, her five children Cheryl and Kevin Staveley of Chelmsford, W. Craig Colbert and his partner Lorraine Mancuso of Dover, NH, Michelle and Ron Desrosiers of Chelmsford, Jeanne and James Carter of Jacksonville, NC, and Jim Colbert and his wife Elena Figler of North Andover; twelve grandchildren Kaitlin and her husband John Freimuth, Kyle, Nathaniel, Alex, Abby, Stephanie, Laura, J.D., Adam, Jared, Lauren, Aislyn, Jacob and the late Meghan; one great-granddaughter Teagan. Claire is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday from 4 until 8 PM in the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen Street, Chelmsford. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock in St. Mary Church, 25 North Road, Chelmsford. KINDLY MEET AT CHURCH. Interment will follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Claire's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 (www.alzmass.org) or to the Huntington's Disease Society of America 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902, New York, NY 10018 (www.hdsa.org). First Visitation February 20, 2018 4:00pm - 8:00pm, Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home 24 Worthen Street Chelmsford, MA 01824 Service Information February 21, 2018 11:00am, St. Mary Parish 25 North Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 KINDLY MEET AT CHURCH Interment Location February 21, 2018 12:15pm, Pine Ridge Cemetery 130 Billerica Road Chelmsford, MA 01824