ORRINGTON and NORTHPORT – Claire B. Alley, 80, died Aug. 27, 2011, at her Bayside home where she spent summers all of her life. She was born Oct. 27, 1930, in Bangor, daughter of Stanley and Marion (Bowden) Badershall.
Claire graduated from Brewer High School in 1948 and recently attended her 63rd BHS reunion. She then graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington, Class of 1952; majoring in home economics. Claire taught in the Orrington school system for 30 years. She retired to winter in Venice, Fla., and summered at Bayside. Since her retirement she volunteered as an usher at the Maine Performing Arts Center and enjoyed the people and the performances for 20 years. She also volunteered at the American Folk Festival for the first eight years until she was 78. She loved being outside, boating, fishing, bird watching, gardening and camping, especially with her grandchildren; hotdogs cooked on sticks and S’mores, sailing on the Victory Chimes, “roughing it” at Toddy Pond and the call of loons. Claire climbed Bald Rock in Lincolnville last summer with her youngest daughter. She considered it a major accomplishment. She also enjoyed the picnics with her Belfast friends and many outings with her friends in Venice. She was a sewer, a knitter, a reader and loved animals.
She is survived by her children, Rachel and her husband, Richard Rosa, of Holden, Susan Johnson of Williamsburg, Iowa, Michael “Sid” Alley and his wife, Patricia, of Bangor, and Robin and her husband, Steve Baker, of Milton, N.H.; brother, Alden Badershall and his wife, Jane, of Northport; seven grandchildren, Leslie Rosa and her twin sister, Laura and her husband, Daniel Peterson, Lydia Rosa, Ryan Calogero, Justin Alley and his wife, Sarah, Christopher Alley and his wife, Julia, and Chelsea Bemis; one great-grandson, Noah Peterson; and cousins, Alan Baker, Gladys Stais and Bonnie Jull. Her pets were her family too: dogs, Skippy and Lady; and Tyler the cat and her new kitten, Misty, were her most loved. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two grandchildren, Heather and Mathew.
Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at Brookings-Smith, Brewer Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2, with the Rev. Clayton Blackstone, pastor of Bangor Advent Christian Church, officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments immediately after the service at the Family Reception Rooms of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer. Interment will be at Dean Hill Cemetery, Orrington.
Those who wish to remember Claire in a special way may send gifts in her memory to Furry Friends, 450 Essex St., Bangor, ME 04401, to help buy pet food and supplies so seniors can afford to keep their pets. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.