Clare Bonner van Duinen, age 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT on Wednesday January 3, 2019. Beloved wife of 60 years to Jerry, and cherished mother to Neil (wife Mary), Lynn DiMarco (husband Lou), Paul (wife Michelle), and Trish Docker (husband Mike). Loving Nana to Mike and Catie van Duinen, Lauren, Luke, and Leyna DiMarco, Griffin and Quinten van Duinen, Van, Sam, Shea and Chase Docker, Nicole Ferrera and Teagen Podurgiel. Dear aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents Bernie and Clara Bonner and her sisters Ann Sisco, Dee Pathroff and Mary Nushcke.
Clare was born November 12, 1935 and grew up in the small town of Nesquehoning PA. She attended Nesquehoning High School, and after graduation she attended secretarial school in Wilkes Barre, PA. Upon graduation, she began working at the Ciba Corporation in Summit, NJ where she caught Jerry’s eye as she could often be seen running through the office in the morning trying to make it to her desk on time.
Clare and Jerry settled in Madison, CT 39 years ago, after falling in love with the quaint town and its beautiful beaches. Clare was known for her quick laugh and easy smile, as well as her devotion to family and friends. Clare spent thousands of hours at various sporting events for her children and grandchildren over the years, never deterred by extreme weather conditions. One of Clare’s favorite activities was having a picnic dinner with family and friends at the Madison Surf Club, overlooking the shores of Long Island Sound. Clare walked endless miles along Middle Beach Rd. chatting and laughing with treasured friends. Clare loved to dance, especially jitter bugging with Jerry and teaching their children and grandchildren the lost art of the 50’s jitter bug.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, 24 Academy Street Madison, CT on January 12, 2019 at 11:30 AM. All are invited to a lite lunch in the church hall to celebrate Clare’s life, immediately following mass, where family will receive friends.
In lieu flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, www.alzinfo.org. or CT Hospice at www.hospice.com
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