Claire Elizabeth Merrigan Carroll

CARROLL Claire Elizabeth Merrigan Carroll, of Fairfield loving wife of the late Thomas A. Carroll Sr. entered into eternal rest on April 3, 2010 with her loving family by her side. Born in New York City she was a singer with several of the Big Bands in the1940's until she met Thomas and they married in 1952. They lived for many years in Jersey City NJ, until moving to Fairfield in 1973 where she has since resided. She was the daughter of the late Patrick and Elizabeth McEntegart Merrigan. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother. She is survived by her devoted children, Marilyn (Mimi) Drewes and husband William of Park Ridge, NJ; Thomas Jr. of Fairfield; Robert and wife Romana of Shelton; cherished grand daughters Brienne Drewes, Allison Zuraik and husband Chris of Park Ridge, NJ. She is also survived by brothers Mathew Merrigan of Manchester, NJ and Thomas Merrigan of Melville, NY and their spouses and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her good friend Edward. She was predeceased by brothers Patrick and John Merrigan, sisters Ruthie and Josephine (Dodie) Merrigan. She was a longtime member of Holy Family Parish of Fairfield. She retired from Fairfield University where she worked as an Administrative Assistant for many years. Claire loved to sing, always with a song in her heart and song on her lips and would engage anyone in song at any given moment. She is now serenading the heavens!!! Calling hours will be held at the Spear Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield on Tuesday April 6th 2010 from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday April 7th 2010 at 10 am Holy Family Parish Church, 700 Old Stratfield Rd, Fairfield. Burial will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Rd, N. Arlington, NJ. The Carroll family would like to thank the hospice nurses of the VNS of CT and give special thanks to home health aides Rockelle and Carmen for their caring and compassion. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association in her memory: P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, 1(800) 272-3900, www.alz.org. To sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearmillerFuneralHome.com.