Obituary of Claire Marie Birmingham
Claire (Casey) Birmingham, of Stirling, passed away on October 10, 2024.
A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Claire put family and faith at the center of her life. Known for her quick wit, warm laughter, and infectious smile, Claire never lost her sense of humor or ability to laugh. As a child, she was affectionately called the "little girl who always smiled," a nickname she lived up to throughout her life, bringing joy to everyone who knew her.
Born and raised in Malden, Massachusetts, Claire attended Girls Catholic in Malden and graduated from Emmanuel College in Boston in 1950.
After a brief career as an elementary school teacher, Claire married Richard Birmingham in 1953 and eventually settled in Reading, Massachusetts, where they raised 10 children. In 1967, they moved to Montclair, New Jersey, and later lived in Berkeley Heights and Warren.
A devout Catholic and daily communicant, Claire was a devoted member of Our Lady of the Mount Church in Warren for nearly two decades. She was also an active member of the People of Hope Catholic Charismatic Community in Plainfield for over 40 years.
Claire cherished summers in Scituate, Massachusetts, the seaside town where she met her future husband, and it became the site of many family vacations. She also relished thrifting and going to garage sales, often arriving at family gatherings with her latest finds, eager to share them. In recent years, she especially looked forward to her weekly Zoom calls with her children, scattered across the country, savoring every shared laugh and story.
Claire is predeceased by her husband, Richard, with whom she shared 68 years of marriage.
She is survived by their children and their spouses: Mary (Gary Villanova), Rick (Arlene Keyes), Tom (Eve), Bill (Gail), Bob (Natasha), Ann Kaspereen (Mark), Chris (Angela Cavallaro), Dave (Susan), Matt (Michelle), and Claire.. She is also survived by a sister, Ann Dolan, and a brother, Tom Casey, as well as nineteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Mount Church, 170 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, NJ. A funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the same location. Claire will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Watchung, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Koinonia Academy, Our Lady of the Mount Church, or Atlantic Visiting Nurse (Atlantic Health Hospice).
