Claire E. Whitehouse

Claire Emma Whitehouse (née Forget), aged 89, passed away quietly on July 31, 2024, in Gardner, MA. Born on June 21, 1935, in Bellingham, MA, Claire attended Bellingham High School, but had to leave school at the age of 15 to care for her then five-year-old sister, Lea. When she was 22 years of age, she married the love of her life, Daniel. She took care of her husband and raised two children in the very home she was born in, living there until the age of 85, when she moved into an assisted living facility.

Although Claire worked outside the home in support of her family, she also took immense pride in maintaining a beautiful home and yard, and especially looked forward to planting new flowers each year in spring. She was an excellent cook and baker and enjoyed hosting delicious meals for family and friends. She also truly enjoyed reading a good novel or watching a good mystery on television.

Claire was known for her warmth, her open heart, her laughter, and her beautiful smile. She was generous and unselfish, and was cherished as a kind and loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was feisty, she was fun, she was loyal, and she will be remembered with immense love by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

She is survived by her daughter Carol Birdyshaw and her husband Bart; her son Dana Whitehouse and his wife Michelle; her grandson Jason Whitehouse and his wife Amber; her granddaughter Kirsten Keiser and her husband Tim; her grandson Matthew Whitehouse and his wife Sarah; her eight great-grandchildren-Kelsie, Charles, Owen, Layla, Catie, Saylor, Maeve, and Ellis; and her sister, Lea Wall.

Claire was preceded in death by her loving husband Daniel Whitehouse who passed away in 1984; by her treasured granddaughter Erin Puricelli who passed away in 1999; and by her longtime companion Robert Jolicoeur who passed away in 2021.

There will be a Memorial Service for Claire at Divine Mercy Parish at St. Paul's Church in Blackstone, MA on September 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. and all are welcome. Please, in lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association in Claire's name.