Claire (Moran) O'Neil

Claire (Moran) O’Neil, age 88, of East Hampton, CT, passed away on January 23, 2021 after a brief illness. The daughter of the late Robert and Emma Moran, she was born in Camden, NJ in 1932 but moved to Connecticut at an early age. She is survived by 3 children: her son John and his wife Gail of Middletown, CT; her daughter Eileen of New Britain, CT; and her daughter Maura Weber and her husband Joe of East Hampton, CT. She is also survived by her sister Barbara Korenkiewicz of Mystic, CT and her brother Robert Moran and his wife Cindy of Griswold, CT. Claire is survived by two grandchildren: Michael Weber of Worcester, MA and Emily Weber of Boston, MA.

 Claire was pre-deceased by her husband of 44 years, John F. O’Neil; her daughter Jean; and her brother William Moran.

 A strong proponent of education, Claire spent her career as a kindergarten and special education teacher in the East Hampton Public Schools. She graduated from the Norwich Free Academy, and then received her B.S. from UConn, a 5th year degree from Eastern Connecticut State University, and her M.S. from Central Connecticut State University. She was very active in the local community and was most proud of her service on the Library Board for 8 years, including a position as the secretary for 4 years. During that time she served on the Library Building Committee, and was instrumental in finding a site for the new library, interviewing and choosing the architect, and working on plans for the building. Claire was an active member of St. Patrick’s Church in East Hampton, CT. She served as secretary of the parish council from 1999 to 2001, and was vice president of St. Patrick’s Guild in 2002.

 Claire was an avid traveler in retirement, enjoying many cruises with her husband and later with close friends. Not one to sit still for long, she spent her time reading, golfing with a women’s golf league, playing bridge at the senior center, and keeping up with local and national politics. Claire also volunteered at Middlesex Hospital, dedicated to providing hospice care to those in need for many years. In her later years, her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren. We will all miss her quick wit, generosity, and unassuming compassion.

A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday January 30th at 10:00AM in St. Patrick Church in East Hampton with burial to follow in St. Patrick cemetery. 

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