Obituary of Claire T. Wheeler

Claire T. Chicoine Wheeler, 88, of Cohoes passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany on Thursday, October 1, 2015 after a brief illness. Born in Waterford, graduated from Cohoes High School Class of 1945 and was the daughter of the late Alma Labby Chicoine, Leo Chicoine and step-mother Irene Chicoine. Claire loved her work for many years as a tax preparer and manager of H&R Block and Reilly Tax Service in Lansingburgh and also was a self- employed tax preparer until the age of 82. She enjoyed Friday night get-togethers with her lifelong friends, shopping, reading and her garden. A parishioner of St. Marie's Church and the Church of the Holy Trinity for 65 years, a member of St. Marie's Mother's Club and the Church of the Holy Trinity Ladies of St. Anne. Claire was the greatest example of unconditional love for her family and she will be deeply missed as a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her strong presence at all of the family gatherings will be missed. Gram's greatest joy was holding all her babies. Devoted wife of 69 years on September 15 to her first love Kenneth A. Wheeler of Cohoes, loving mother of Michael K. (Kathleen) Wheeler of Latham, Sandra E. Wheeler (Thomas DeMeo) of Cohoes, Debra J. (Bradford) Peck of Greenfield Center, Nancy A. (Jeff) Moore of Cohoes, Lorie M. (Luke) Shea of Averill Park. Sister of the late Richard Chicoine (Carolyn), Rita (Donald) Dow, Wayne Chicoine and Doris Chicoine, survived by her dear niece Patricia Chicoine Perry of South Carolina. Sister-in-law to James and Dorothy Wheeler of Waterford, Evah and William Beck of West Sand Lake, Eleanor and Joseph Bode of Brunswick, Joseph Soldani of Speigletown and the late Gloria Soldani. Grandmother of Melyssa Purrott (Andrew), Kaitlyn Wheeler (Bryan Beckman), Andrew Wheeler, Regan DeMartino (Joseph), Erin Cowan (Edward Colihan), Courtney Cowan (Thomas Schrader), Jonathan Smith, Nathan Smith, Cassandra Engler (Carl), Stephanie Peck (Dave Lomaestro), Joshua Moore, Matthew Moore (Lauren Fibelkorn), Shainna Morse (Nick), Charles Shea (Shannon Devane), Adam Shea (Melissa), 17 great grandchildren with another on the way, also survived by many nieces and nephews. All of us will carry her legacy of strength, faith, guidance and love with us as we struggle without her. Funeral Monday 9:00am at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Cohoes where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Cohoes. Relatives and friends may call at the DUFRESNE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 216 Columbia Street, Cohoes on Sunday from 2 to 5pm. Those who wish to remember Claire in a special way may make a donation to the Church of the Holy Trinity Food Pantry or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.