Claire T. McLean

Claire McLean was born July 20, 1934, and grew up in Queens, NY. She was one of five siblings, the fourth child of Sarah and Joseph Woods. Claire was fortunate in the sense that love abounded in her large family, and while growing up in this humble household, Claire enjoyed the company of her close-knit family immensely. In February of 1953 Claire married William Joseph McLean, and shortly thereafter moved from Queens to Lindenhurst, Long Island, where they raised their two children, William and Patricia. During Claire's lifetime, she was a devoted servant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Lindenhurst, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister for 22 years, as well as volunteering in the Mercy Inn Food Kitchen in Wyandanch several days each week. Claire's family-parents, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, close friends, and later daughter-in-law, Laura McLean, and son-in-law Peter Berke-meant the world to her, and she enjoyed countless family dinners, vacations, high school/college graduations, as well as international travel adventures throughout her life. Significant to Claire was the trip she and her cherished sister-in-law, Joann Woods, took to Israel, and decades later the two senior ladies traveled by car visiting numerous national parks throughout the country. Claire and Joann had a special bond with each other, both devoted to their faith and families, and always remained close and spoke often. Understandably, Claire's most relished title was that of "Nanny" to her grandsons Ryan, Garret and Maxwell McLean and granddaughter Kendal Anderson. Nanny was an active participant in their lives for over 45 years, leaving her unique mark with each grandchild, loving each beyond measure. Claire's husband Bill passed in 2011, after 58 wonderful years of marriage. In November of 2018, Claire moved to Camden, Maine, to be closer to her daughter, Patricia, son-in-law Peter and granddaughter Kendal. There she found the Quarry Hill retirement community where she enjoyed an independent living apartment that complemented her social nature perfectly with close proximity to Patricia, Peter and Kendal. Claire was indeed blessed in that wherever she resided, she had a loving family near by who adored and supported her and likewise, the family benefited from her involvement in their lives. Sadly Claire passed away at the age of 91 on November 5, 2025, at the Sussman Hospice House in Camden, Maine. She leaves a legacy of caring deeply for those she loved and her devotion to the Catholic faith. All were blessed who knew her. A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Lindenhurst with burial immediately following at the Breslau Cemetery in Lindenhurst.