Claire Ryan

Ryan, Claire M (Pion)

Castleton-Claire Marie Pion Ryan completed her journey on earth on October 5, 2016 surrounded by her family at St. Peter’s Hospital, Hospice Inn. She was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts on September 11, 1933 and was predeceased by her parents Francois X. and Armande(Charpentier) Pion, her husband William Ryan, her daughter, Ann Ryan Dailey, her great-grandson, Clinton Ingram, Jr., her brothers Francis, Raymond and Robert Pion, her sister Irene Pion Cole and her nephew Thomas F.X. Cole. Claire was a 1955 graduate of Elms College in Springfield, MA, and won awards in Chemistry while there. After leaving college, she worked at Chicopee Manufacturing, helping to develop the first “Handi-Wipes.” She dedicated her life to teaching chemistry and biology; first in Chicopee, then at Ichabod Crane High School and completing her career teaching these subjects and math as a full Professor at Hudson Valley Community College, and at its Educational Opportunity Center. She has lived in Castleton since 1962, developing a strong network of amazing friends. She was very active in her church, Sacred Heart, especially in the health ministry, Mustard Seed. In March 2013, the Albany Catholic Diocese recognized her as one of the Women Saying "Yes" to God, of which she was especially pleased. Claire always put her family and friends first and did whatever she could to make life pleasant for all she knew. Even during her illness, she kept a strong positive attitude, belying how ill she was becoming. She is survived by her children: Eileen ”Lee” Ryan, William "Bill" (Debra) Ryan, and Carol (Robert) Daley, her grandchildren Shawn Dailey Ingram, Thomas Dailey, Ryan Daley, Kaitlin Ryan, and Matthew Daley, and a great-granddaughter Destiny Ingram. She is also survived by some wonderful friends whom she loved dearly, especially MaryLou Kulpa, Dan and Jane Forget, Cheri Amodeo, and Suzanne Connelly. The family is eternally grateful to the staff at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn as well as her Sacred Heart Church family for making her last days peaceful, comfortable and full of love, dignity and respect. Calling hours will be at Ray Funeral Home, 59 Seaman Avenue, Castleton, NY on October 9, 2016 from 4 to 7 pm and funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Catholic Way, Castleton, NY on October 10, 2016 at 10 am. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Chicopee, Massachusetts at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions to St. Peter’s Hospice Inn may be made in her name.

Ray Funeral Service, Inc.
59 Seaman Ave.
Castleton, NY 12033
(518)732-7663

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