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Obituary for Claire A. Pelkey
St. Albans – Claire A. Pelkey, 91, a lifelong area resident passed away early Monday, December 13, 2010, at the King’s Daughters home. Claire was born in Highgate Springs on May 5, 1919, the daughter of the late Peter and Alexina (Breault) Labrie. On May 14, 1940, in the Church of Nativity, she married Kenneth L. Pelkey, who preceded her in death in April of 1999. Claire was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Albans Grange, the St. Albans Bowling League and a senior skating group in Burlington. Claire shared her love of skating with kids, helping them to learn the fundamentals. She skated for the last time at the age of 80. Claire delighted in being outdoors. She enjoyed camping, hiking and gardening. “Little Miss Labrie†was also legendary among family and friends for her fishing prowess. Claire’s cooking and sewing skills were equally famous. Her family loved her homemade bread and appreciated the clothes she made that were nearly impossible to distinguish from store-bought. Survivors include her daughter, Patricia Driver Rainville and companion, John Smith of St. Albans; her grandchildren, Jon Driver and wife, Lori, of Phoenix, AZ, Julie Driver and companion, Fred Newcomb of Alexandria, VA and Pamela Driver of South Burlington and her great-grandchildren, Paige, Kyla and Maggie Driver. Claire is also survived by her sisters, Albina Bernier and Cecile Brier both of Waterbury, CT, Pauline Labrie of St. Albans and Ruth Labrie of Jericho and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, Claire was preceded in death by a daughter, Kennethea Pelkey on January 19, 1956; a grandson, Jay Driver on July 3, 2000; and her siblings, Alcide and wife, Olivette; Alfred and wife, Jean; Mary Elise and husband, Barth Daigle; Steve and wife, Elaine; Charlie and wife, Nellie; Sister Josephine Alexina; Little Mary; Little Joe; Joe Bernier and Lionel Brier. Claire’s family will receive friends on Friday, December 17, 2010, from 1:00 to 3:30 PM at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 So. Main St., St. Albans. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 17, 2010, at 4:00 PM in St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Fairfield Street. A reception will follow the Mass in the Parish Hall. Interment will be next spring in the family lot in Holy Cross Cemetery. The family would like to express their tremendous gratitude to the staff and residents of King’s Daughters Home for their loving care and friendship. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to King’s Daughters Home, 10 Rugg St., St. Albans, VT 05478 or Franklin County Home Health Agency, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478. Private messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.
