Claire Francis Parthum

METHUEN -Claire Francis (Cyr) Parthum, 99, longtime resident of Methuen, passed away peacefully April 13, 2024 at Mary Immaculate Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lawrence.
She was born in Lawrence on August 10, 1924, the daughter of the late Dr. John Cyr, DDS, and Lillian (St. Hilaire) Cyr. Claire was an honors graduate of Lawrence High School, Class of 1942, and graduated with honors from Burdett College.
A gifted writer and poet, Claire was a popular contributor to the Methuen Weekly News for many years, filling her column with poems and observations from around the town. She also volunteered and performed secretarial duties in support of local town committees, schools, and representatives, spending many late evenings typing out minutes of meetings and drafting/preparing agendas and speeches.
In her later years, Claire, along with her now late husband Herb, was an avid gardener. Together, they grew a myriad of vegetables and flowers admired by friends and family. In her spare time, Claire also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, amassing a large number of her hand-made throws and blankets.
Claire was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Herbert W. Parthum, and is survived by her son, H. William Parthum and his wife Janet of Hampstead, NH, and her daughter Elaine T. Rush and her husband Richard of Cottage Grove, MN. Four grandchildren: Melanie Darrigo and husband Mark of Hermon, ME; Timothy Parthum and wife Kylie of Chester, NH; Michael Parthum of Methuen; and Andrew Rush of Cottage Grove, MN. Three great-grandchildren, Natalie, Will, and Magnus, and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Claire's long life with visiting hour on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA 01844. A brief service will follow at 2:30 pm at the funeral home with burial at the Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen, MA.
The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Parthum Family.