Claire L Bailey

Claire L. Bailey, 86, of Plattsburgh, passed away on January 24, 2024, at Meadowbrook Healthcare, surrounded by her family. She was born in Orleans, VT, on August 8, 1937, the daughter of Theodore and Yvonne (Royer) Boulanger. Claire graduated in 1955 from St. Johnsbury Academy and earned her registered nursing degree from Bishop Degrosbriand Hospital and School of Nursing in Burlington, VT. While in Burlington, she met her future husband, Lloyd, whom she married on September 13, 1958, in Notre Dame des Victoire Church in St. Johnsbury, VT. Claire is survived by Lloyd, her husband of 65 years, son Stephen C. Bailey and his wife Michelle, daughter Elaine and her husband John Michalski, grandchildren Sonya, Sarah, Andrew, Joseph, Monique, Joshua, and several great-grandchildren. Her parents and sister, Anita Trahan of Littleton, NH predeceased her. In her early career, Claire practiced nursing at Champlain Valley Hospital and was a pediatric nurse in Drs. Tanner and Ryan’s office in Plattsburgh. Claire was an active member of the Malone Community, working for WIC, Well Child, and as a school nurse. She volunteered for blood drives, was a Girl Scout leader, taught high school religious education, and she served many years on the Alice Hyde Hospital Auxiliary and Executive Board. She was also a board member of North Country Children’s Clinic and past president of the Chateaugay Lake Arts Association. She was a communicant of St. Bernard’s Church in Lyon Mountain and Holy Cross Church in Vero Beach, FL, where she and Lloyd spent many winters. She was a volunteer at the Vero Beach Museum of Art and the Moorings Library. Claire was well-known as an amazing cook and gardener. She enjoyed music (especially broadway, which she sang at the top of her lungs while vacuuming), playing cards and games with her family and friends, traveling, and visiting museums. Throughout her life, she picked up many hobbies, from candle-making to needlepoint (all the family had their own homemade Christmas stockings). Still, her greatest crafting pride was later in life when she made Nantucket baskets. With the help of Lloyd, each basket was meticulously made and gifted to special people in her life. The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff at Pine Harbor and Meadowbrook, who provided excellent care and support to the family. A Mass of Christian Burial presided by Father Ted Cosby, will take place at St. Bernards Church, Lyon Mountain, on Feb 8. The family will receive guests at the church at 10:30 am, mass at 11 am, followed by a funeral procession and graveside ceremony. Friends are invited to join the family at a luncheon at the Lyon Mountain American Legion. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Claire L. Bailey to the Alzheimers Association of Northeastern New York by mail to 1003 New Loudon Road Suite 201, Cohoes, NY 12047, or online at https://act.alz.org/site/Donation Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.