Claire Sears

Claire Lavina Sears, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 97.
Born on November 21, 1927, in Northbridge, Massachusetts, near Worcester, Claire was the second of eight children of Clarence Leroy ("Roy") Sanders and Mabel Aurilla (Payne) Sanders. As was common during the Great Depression, the family moved frequently based on where her father could find work. Her family instilled in her the values of hard work, faith, and service that she carried throughout her life. The only source of heat for the family home was the wood stove in the kitchen and that is where water was heated for baths. As second oldest, the water was probably still pretty clean in the tub. On Wednesday nights her mother let each of the kids invite a friend over for hot dogs- 16 kids eating hot dogs- what a sight that must have been.
During her high school years, at the height of World War II, Claire contributed to the home-front war effort by sewing sleeping bags for American troops in a converted hat factory in Whitinsville. A born leader with a kind spirit, she was elected president of her Methodist Youth Group and developed a lifelong love of community service.
After graduating from Northbridge High School, Claire earned a scholarship from The Methodist Church to Boston University, where she completed a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts in 1951. While at B.U., she met a handsome ROTC cadet and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brother, Leslie Ray Sears Jr. Les borrowed his sister's fancy coupe to take her on their first date, but drove his old jalopy on their second date. She was sure surprised. After a courtship filled with laughter and love, they married on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1951-a joyful union that would last 34 years.
As the devoted wife of a U.S. Army officer, Claire embraced the challenges and rewards of military family life. Their first child, Ray, was born at Fort Devens Army Hospital. When Les was deployed to Germany, Claire courageously crossed the Atlantic with her six-month-old son aboard a Super Constellation C-121 Military Airlift Transport Service flight-the first airplane flight for both mother and child. She asked the Major in the jump seat if it was typical to see flames pouring out of the exhaust of the C-121 but he advised her not to worry. Daughter Marilyn was born at Nuremberg Army Hospital, and their youngest, Pam, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, while Les was stationed at the Springfield Armory.
Through many moves and assignments, Claire's grace and steady spirit anchored the family. She created a loving home wherever they lived-whether in Massachusetts, Germany, Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Houston where she had to run the family by herself while Les was deployed to Vietnam -and was known for her warmth, her quick wit, and her ability to make friends wherever she went. She counted more than 30 addresses where she received mail over the years.
After Les retired from the Army, the couple made their home in Treasure Island, Florida, where Claire remained active in church life, community organizations, and volunteer service. She cherished family gatherings, gardening, and reading, and she never lost her love of learning.
Claire received her Practioner of Religious Science license after many years of classes and sessions with members of her Church of Religious Science, International on 6 June 1988.
Claire's life was a tapestry of kindness, devotion, and quiet strength. Her legacy endures in the lives of her three children-Ray, Marilyn, and Pam-her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the many loved ones whose lives she touched. She counts 7 granddaughters as her pride and joy- Angelica, Becca, Valorie, Hannah, Rachel, Katie, and Alissa – who now work as Physician's Assistants, Nurse Practioner, Horse Whisperer, Non-profit financial wizard, and Midwife/Human Relations Expert. Her great-grand children are six in number-Ryan, Aria, Cooper, Mini-Cooper, Lola, and Claire. Twenty-one nieces and nephews call her Auntie Claire.
Claire loved her family at Life.Church on NW Expressway
She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Maj. Gen. Leslie Ray Sears Jr., in Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts 02532-1325.
A birthday celebration of her life will be at her home in Oklahoma City on Saturday from Noon to 4 pm. Come and go.
Graveside funeral arrangements on Cape Cod are under the direction of Nickerson & Bourne Funeral Home, with local arrangements in Oklahoma City by Buchanan Funeral Service.
Service Date: 14 November 2025 Cemetery Section 4/Plot 1880
In Lieu of flowers please make donations to Branch15.org PO Box 1817, Bethany, OK 73008.