Claire Hooper

HARWICH - Claire (Kingsbury) Hooper, of Harwich, formerly of Holliston and Needham, passed away at home with family on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007. She was 86.

Born in Spencer on June 7, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Gladys (Wilmot) Kingsbury. She was the beloved wife of Robert J. Hooper and was preceded in death by her daughter, Laurel L. Slicer, and son, Alan J. Hooper, and sisters, Thelma Briggs and Louise Schweinshaut.

Mrs. Hooper enjoyed spending time on Cape Cod with family and friends and was an avid reader and bridge player - most recently making a ''small slam” during a visit to the Alan Harbor Yacht Club.

While living in Needham, she was a volunteer driver for the blind. She also played a significant role in raising her three grandchildren after her daughter's death in 1986 due to breast cancer.

In addition to her husband, Claire is survived by her grandchildren, Eric Slicer and his wife, Laura, of Moorhead, Minn., Mark Slicer and his wife, Amy, of Hartland, Wis., Adam Slicer of Holliston, and Annie, Alex, David and Michael Hooper of Fairbanks, Alaska; as well as four great-grandchildren, Emily, A.J., Max and Campbell. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, the Briggs and Schweinshauts and their spouses, who played a significant role in her life.

There will be a family memorial service in Harwich Port at a family residence overlooking the ocean, where Claire and Robert met in 1937 while spending the summer on Cape Cod with family. Her ashes will be placed with those of her daughter and son in Lake Grove Cemetery in Holliston.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial donations may be made in Claire's memory to the VNA of Cape Cod Hospice, 434 Route 134, Suite G-1, South Dennis, MA 02660.