Claire R. Riel

"Palmer, Claire R. (Prue) Riel, 81, formerly of Arnold St., died peacefully on Saturday, April 9 at Life Care Center of Wilbraham, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Newport, VT, July 25, 1929, she was the daughter of David and Idea (Landry) Prue and has lived in Palmer since 1954. She worked as a telephone operator for many years, the Palmer Nursing Home and then for Jarvis & Jarvis before retiring. A strong religious faith, she was a communicant of St. Thomas Church, and formerly was the organist there. She was also a member of the Daughters of Isabella. Among the many things Claire enjoyed in her leisure were sing along songs with the piano, crocheting, and trying her luck with bingo and scratch tickets. Her main love was her family. Besides her parents, her husband Robert preceded her in death in 2003, along with 6 sisters, Sister Mary David, Irene, Blanche, Fedo, Yvonne, and Agnes and her 2 brothers, David and Wilbrod. She will be deeply missed by her 5 children, Denise Coburn of Newport, VT, Andrew and Robert II of Palmer, Michael and his wife Darlene of Chicopee, and Jay and his wife Cindy of Thorndike. She will also be remembered by her 10 grandchildren to whom she was lovingly referred to as “Memere”, Melissa, Michael, Carrin, Bennett, Rachel, Kayla, Nicole, Jaymelee, Jake and Jayce, as well as 2 great grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jayda. She also leaves her in laws, Roland Richer of Palmer and Sylvia Prue of Newport, VT along with many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 13 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be Thursday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m. from the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home, 1475 N. Main St, (Rte 20) followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Thomas Church. The family requests that donations be made in her memory to Baystate VNA & Hospice, Box 9058, Springfield MA, 01102 or Blinded American Veterans Foundation - PO Box 65900 - Washington DC 20035, or Family Council at Life Care Center of Wilbraham, 2399 Boston Rd. Wilbraham, MA 01095. For online guest book, please visit www.beersandstory.com. "