Claire Morehouse Garvey, 85, of Boca Raton, passed away on December 14, 2016, at her home following a long illness. Born in Utica, NY, she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Raymond. She was mother to her five dearly loved children: Leslie Owens (and her husband Mark), Timothy Garvey, Susan Shallbetter (and her late husband Dale), Mary Jones (and her husband Micheal), and Laurie McLoughlin (and her husband Bill.) She was devoted to her grandchildren, Colin Owens (and his wife Jennifer), Ryan Owens (and his wife Margarita), Curt Garvey, Beth Garvey, Carly McLoughlin, Erin McLoughlin, Andrew Jones, Jarrod Banner, Nick Shallbetter (and his wife Kelly), Chris Vogt (and her husband Bob), as well as great-grandchildren Myah Vogt, Luke Shallbetter, Grace Shallbetter, Ellie Owens and Juliet Owens. Claire was the youngest daughter of the late Leslie and Genevieve Morehouse, and was preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn Jenny and her brother, Henry Morehouse. Claire attended the State University of New York at Oswego, earning a BA. She began her career in public service as an elementary school teacher in upstate New York in 1953. She left teaching temporarily to raise a family, later earning an MEd at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, then serving as a primary resource teacher with Palm Beach County Schools, retiring in 1991. Claire was definitely "Old Boca", moving from Syracuse, NY to Boca Raton, FL in 1963, and enjoyed telling people about life in her town before anyone had heard of Boca. She was well known for her baking ability and frequently visited friends and neighbors with a plate of treats in tow. She was one of the original members of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and was actively involved in several ministries there including the Altar Guild, Knitting Group, Thrift Shop and Care Ministry. Claire enjoyed celebrating holidays and other events throughout her life, always decorating her home and entertaining friends and family with her special flair. She loved to read, and was a regular at the library, often polishing off several books per week. Other pursuits included a penchant for travel. She and Ray (frequently with favorite travel partners Henry and Nancy) explored Europe, Canada, Mexico, and most of the United States, although annual dining and theatre treks to New York City were her favorites. Claire was a reserved, determined woman who believed in "doing" rather than talking about it. She rarely sat still, even toward the end of her life when she was very ill. If Claire wanted to do something, it was best to get out of her way. She persevered in the face of serious obstacles. She exemplified tenacity and hope, a legacy that will continue well beyond her days on the earth. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 7, 2017. The internment ceremony will be January 9 at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth.
Palm Beach Post, The (FL) - Tuesday, December 20, 2016