Claire M. Miner Obituary (1933

Claire Marie (St George) Miner, 90, of Pittsfield, died Friday, January 26, 2024 at Epsom Manor Nursing Center in Epsom, NH, surrounded by family. Claire was born in Pittsfield, on February 7, 1933, to Alban "Joe" and Antoinette G. (Ouellette) St George. As early as her teenage years, Claire had a stunning streak of white hair, a sign of the passionate, spitfire energy that she carried through life, with her outspoken confidence and bold laugh. After leaving Pittsfield High School, Claire worked in a local shoe factory, dye cutting, and helped out at her parent's store, the beloved Joe & Tony's, on Main St. in Pittsfield. She married Blakely V. Miner in 1952, at 19, and began creating a family. After he passed in 1961, Claire began rebuilding her life as a widowed mother of four and bought a home on Catamount Road in Pittsfield where she lived for over sixty years. She met and married Norman W. Miner (1965) and had two more children, completing their family. In later years you could find her and her mother playing bingo or bones, and taking it very seriously. She also loved to garden, search for four-leaf clovers, check out yard sales, and host monthly get-togethers with her family. Claire was a prolific stitcher, seamstress, quilter and knitter. She loved to create beautifully stitched or knitted pieces for loved ones with an impressive array of sewing machines, fabric and yarn she collected over the years. Claire built a career using her sewing skills, working from home, doing piece-work stitching shoes. She always made herself available if her family came by for a visit, and when she needed to get back to work you were welcome to stay amid the sound of the radio, her shears and sewing machine. Later she worked at Globe Manufacturing, repairing damaged firefighter suits until 2003. On Christmas Eve Claire would bring out bags full of winter hats, mittens and slippers she had knitted all year to keep her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren warm. That warmth she gave to all those she loved and those who loved her back will be felt for years to come. Claire is predeceased by her parents [1979/1998]; three siblings, Theresa M. (St George) Ellis [2014], David A. St George [2003], and Cora A. (St George) Oppelt [2019]; two husbands, Blakely V. Miner [1961], and Norman W. Miner [2003]. Claire is survived by her six children, Claire G. Marland of Manchester, Blakely V. Miner Jr. of Pembroke, Alban O. and his wife Heidi (Lang) Miner of North Springfield, VT, Cindy M. Houle of Pittsfield, Collie A. Svendberg of Concord, and Norman W. II and his wife Brenda (Bartlett) Miner of Pittsfield; seventeen grandchildren; more than 40 great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; and her sister, Elise G. (St George) Sprague of Florida. The family wishes to thank the professionals of Epsom Manor Nursing Center and Bayada Hospice for their love, care and support at this difficult time. A celebration of life will be held for Claire, loving mother and memere, at a later date with extended family. Roan Family Funeral Home - Still Oaks Chapel in Epsom is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com