Claire (Raymond) Ewell

Claire Ewell Athol – Claire (Raymond) Ewell, 73, of 241 Drury Avenue, passed away June 2, 2011 at home after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was surrounded by her family.      Claire was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, March 13, 1938, the daughter of Merrill S. and Arline F. (Bancroft) Raymond.  She lived in Athol all of her life, as a young person she spent summers at Camp Wiyaka and Packard Heights.  She was a strong and graceful swimmer.  During the school year she worked at the Athol Advertiser in the family owned business.  Claire loved to dance, treasure hunt and play Bingo.  Maine beaches were her favorite destination.  Claire was fun loving.  Her family and friends will especially miss her sense of humor and mischief.      Claire graduated from Athol High School in 1956.  She worked at the Franco American Naturalization Club for many years and also worked at the Athol Junior High and Riverbend School cafeterias when her children were young.  She was a member of the Athol-Orange Baptist Church and the Franco American Naturalization Club.      Her husband of 43 years, Donald R. Ewell died in 2002.  She leaves her children; Christopher Osborne of Orange, Robin Romanelli and her husband James of Westminster, Barbara Belanger and her husband Steve of Orange, and Robert Ewell and his wife Linda of Virginia Beach, VA.  She leaves a sister Joan Carr and her husband Bill of Westborough, a brother David and his wife Pat of Athol, a brother Roger and his wife Dorothy of Maine, and her sister-in-law Lois Dugan of Athol.  She leaves her 8 grandchildren; Matthew, Scott, and James Romanelli, Scott, Steven, Shayna, Erik Belanger and his wife Leanna, and Yolanda Gray and her husband Mark; 4 great grandchildren; Erik Belanger Jr., Jesse and Nic Rivera and Brianna Gray.  She was predeceased by her loving sister Barbara (Raymond) Kroyman in 1985.  She leaves many nieces and nephews.      A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol with the Rev. Mark D. Bariloni, pastor of the Athol-Orange Baptist Church officiating.  Calling hours will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions may be made to the Athol-Orange Baptist Church, 131 Ridge Avenue, Athol, MA 01331.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to:  www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });