Claire B. Clark nee Glavin, formerly Claire B. O’Neill passed on to the Kingdom of Heaven, surrounded by her family in her home in Mount Prospect, IL on September 11, 2017 at the age of 73.
Claire was born in Chicago, IL on September 29, 1943 and spent her childhood with her loving parents, Harold and Clara, her sister Margaret and brothers Tom and Bernie. She loved to recount stories of riding in the front basket of Tom’s bicycle or playing with her paper dolls, which she stored in a prized stocking box her mother gave her, with the little girl in the upstairs apartment.
As an adult, Claire worked for the Chicago Park District and her adventures with her Park “family” were many and always exciting to hear about. One of her favorites was the annual Chicago Air & Water Show where one year her oldest daughter and son actually got to fly in the “Caribou” with the “Golden Knights” during a show, looking out the back door down onto the Chicago lakefront below! Later, after working for several years in the Security field at Burns Security in Chicago and later at ISS Security in Lisle, she was chosen as part of a team to create, train and manage a new “Nuclear Division.” This was one of the first such divisions in the industry, providing the specialized security procedures necessary for nuclear power plants. Claire just retired a few years ago from Gladson Marketing and was enjoying spending time with her family and friends since then.
She always had kind things to say and fun stories to share about countless friends, neighbors and teachers. Helping people and being friendly to everyone was something she embodied and will always be remembered for. Many times she would remind us that it didn’t’ matter who or what a person was, everyone deserved the same respect and sincere kindness.
While she may have left us in body, the spirit of love she instilled will carry on a legacy far greater than even she could have ever imagined.
Claire is survived by her children, Kathleen O’Neill (Tony Bonilla), Patrick S. O’Neill, Annie (Marquette) Fricot and Roger C. Clark, III (Elyse Wold); her grandchildren, Katie, Matthew, Draven and Jade; her brothers Thomas Glavin and Bernard (Sondra) Glavin, her sister Margaret H. Johnson; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Clara Glavin.
Visitation Sunday September 17, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Friedrichs Funeral Home, 320 W. Central Rd., (at Northwest Highway), Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. Visitation Monday September 18, 9:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass 10:00 a.m. at St. Raymond de Penafort Church, Elmhurst Rd., (Rt. 83) & Lincoln St., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. Interment All Saints Cemetery.
Memorials in memory of Claire may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.