FLAT GAP, Ky., and EASTPORT – Dr. Claire Arsenault, 67, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2009, in Ashland, Ky. Claire was born Feb. 13, 1942, in Eastport, daughter of Madonna and Horace Call. She was educated in the Eastport school system, graduating from Shead Memorial High School, Class of 1960; and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Portland, Class of 1964. Upon graduating from Mercy Hospital, Claire’s nursing career began there and followed at Eastport Memorial Hospital, and as administrator of Eastport Health Care Center. Claire furthered her education at the University of Minnesota, receiving a doctorate in philosophy in 2002. She dedicated her life’s work to the care of the ill and the dignity of the dying, being awarded Business Woman of the Year by the governor of Kentucky, for her entrepreneurial skills and stewardship as chief executive officer to Hospice of Big Sandy. Claire was a communicant and Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Eastport, for many years, as well as a member of Daughters of Isabella. Claire lobbied at the Maine State House for health care reform and was past president of NECHA. She was predeceased by her father, Horace Call. Surviving are her mother, Madonna Cassidy Call; a loving friend of 45 years, Robert Arsenault Sr.; three children, Madonna Arsenault of Machias, John Arsenault and his wife, Cathy, of Brewer, and Robert Arsenault Jr. and his wife, Shelley, of Eastport; six grandchildren, Joshua, Jacob, Jesse, Michael, Catherine and Emma; her brother, Larry of Bangor; sister, Marie and her husband, George, of Bridgewater, Mass.; niece, Cathy; and her nephews, Chris, Jesse and Casey. Claire will also be fondly missed by her cousins, John, Nellie, Bill, Vint, Edmund and Ann, for the family gathering roundtable dinners at Pennamaquan Lake during her youthful years. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Eastport, with the Rev. James Plourde, celebrant. Burial will be after at Hillside Cemetery, Eastport. Donations in Claire’s memory may be made to The Hometown Foundation, care of The First, P.O. Box F, Eastport, ME 04631. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Homes, Calais and Eastport. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
CLAIRE ARSENAULT, PH.D.
