Claire Pitts

Claire N. Age 45, of 830 N. Lamont Dr., Cortlandville, NY, passed away Thursday, January 13, 2005, at University Hospital in Syracuse, NY. She was born September 26, 1958 in Elmira, NY, the daughter of Francis and Mary Rossi Navone. Claire lived with her family in Elmira until her early twenties. She then came to Cortland, where she attended SUNY Cortland. She received her Master's Degree from SUNY Cortland and then began her teaching career. Claire taught K-6th grade for the Marathon School District. In 2001, Claire was forced into early retirement due to her battle with cancer. Claire's dedication to her students was most evident to her family that following year when she was unable to continue her passion of teaching. She was a communicant of St. Margaret's Church of Homer, and served as Past President of the Booster Club at Cortland High School. Claire enjoyed sewing, knitting, stamping, and most of all going to the lake with her family and friends, whom will all miss her dearly. Claire's legacy will live on through her past students and her family as an inspiration. She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Charles Pitts; sons, David and Anthony, a daughter, Maria, all at home in Cortlandville; parents, Francis and Mary Navone of Elmira; sister, Lia Navone of Cortland; brothers, Dr. Joseph (Lisa) Navone of Elmira, Frank (Sandra) Navone of CT, Dr. Anthony (Therese) Navone of Manlius, Sperry (Julie) Navone of Elmira, Joshua (Lisa) Navone of Elmira; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, January 15, at St. Margaret's Church of Homer, with Fr. Daniel DeLorme presiding. A prayer service will be held Saturday, 10:15 a.m. prior to Mass at the Wright-Beard Funeral Inc., 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland, NY. Burial will follow Mass in St. Mary's Cemetery, Cortland. Calling hours will be held Friday evening, 4 to 8 p.m. at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5008 Britton Field Pkwy, East Syracuse, NY 13057.