Mary COLE

CLAREMONT — Mary Cole Clairmont, 79, formerly of 39 Pearl St., died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005, at the home of her daughter on 17 Webster Ave., Claremont, surrounded by her family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.She was born July 4, 1926, in Unity, the daughter of Perley and Angie Mae (Bean) Cole. She graduated from Towle High School, Newport, in June 1944 and the Laconia Hospital School of Nursing in April 1948, earning her registered nurse degree later that year.She married Rene J. Clairmont in 1948 and moved to Claremont with her two children after their divorce in March, 1961.In Claremont, she was first employed at the former Claremont General Hospital, after which she worked for many years as a registered nurse night supervisor at the former McKerley Nursing Home in Claremont. She retired in 1993.Caregiving, both personally and professionally, came naturally to her and she did so with joy and grace. Her quiet manner and selfless ways touched the lives of everyone with whom she came in contact. As her grandson, Matthew, often said "Grammy was the true definition of a grand mother."She greatly loved her entire family and was proud to have been able to attend the high school graduations of all three of her grandchildren. She enjoyed reading and taking day trips to the ocean. She loved spending time at her daughter's home where they shared many precious years of gardening and watching lots of beautiful birds, especially chickadees and cardinals, which were her favorites. She was also fond of her daughter's assorted cats, who also enjoyed watching the birds!She was predeceased by her father Perley in 1970, her mother Angie in 1971, a sister Florence Chase in 1981, and her brother Parker Cole in 2004.Survivors include her son, Michael Clairmont of Gilford, his wife Nancy and their daughter Hillary; her daughter, Stephanie Lessard of Claremont; her husband, Roland, and their children, Megan of Middletown, Md. and Matthew of Claremont; one sister, Marguerite Hoskinson of Amelia, Va.; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, former co-workers, and her special extended family in and around the Laconia area.Of her, her family wrote, "Her inner strength and patience, as well as her kind and loving ways, will continue to inspire the lives of all who knew her."In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts in her honor be sent to the Mary Clairmont Nursing Scholarship Fund, Sugar River Valley Technical Center, 243 North Main St., Newport, NH 03773. This fund will assist nursing students as they continue to pursue their career goals.In keeping with Mary's wishes, a private graveside committal service was held on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005, at Union Cemetery in Claremont with Fr. Stanley J. Piwowar officiating.Mary would have smiled, knowing that her children and their families were together to say, "Always and forever, until we meet again." Arrangements were entrusted to the Stringer Funeral Home.