Obituary for Claire L Birkenshaw (LaValley)
Claire (LaValley) Birkenshaw, 92, of Somers, and beloved wife of 52 years to the late Ralph F. Birkenshaw, peacefully passed away at her home on Monday, April 25, 2022. Daughter of the late Herbert and Annie LaValley, she was born in Springfield, MA on March 11, 1930. She was a graduate of the High School of Commerce class of 1947 in Springfield. Soon after her marriage to Ralph, the couple settled in the Hazardville section of Enfield in 1950, and later moved to Somers where she has resided for over 55 years. Claire was a member of the Hazardville Handicraft Group for over 50 years and a faithful member of Somers Congregational Church.
Claire is survived by her son, David Birkenshaw and his wife, Kathleen of Somers and his children, Kristin Scata and David Ryan Birkenshaw; two daughters, Nancy Loiselle and her husband, Peter of Somers and their children, Keith and Melinda Loiselle, and Lynn Hughes and her husband Kim of Huntsville, AL and her children, Natalie and Brittney Jurgen. She also leaves her great grandchildren, Ryan and Ashley Birkenshaw, and Michael and Alivia Scata; her sister, Shirley Donnelly of Springfield, MA, her lifelong friend Rita Dean, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her beloved husband Ralph, she was predeceased by her brother, Herbert LaValley; her sisters, Doris LaValley and Jeanne Bergeron, and her nephew, Robert LaValley.
Claire’s family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 11 am on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at the Somers Funeral Home, 354 Main Street, Somers. A Funeral Service will follow the visitation at 11 am. Burial will follow at Somers Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104, or Somers Congregational Church, 599 Main St, Somers, CT 06071. For online condolences, please visit www.somersfuneralhome.com.
Claire is survived by her son, David Birkenshaw and his wife, Kathleen of Somers and his children, Kristin Scata and David Ryan Birkenshaw; two daughters, Nancy Loiselle and her husband, Peter of Somers and their children, Keith and Melinda Loiselle, and Lynn Hughes and her husband Kim of Huntsville, AL and her children, Natalie and Brittney Jurgen. She also leaves her great grandchildren, Ryan and Ashley Birkenshaw, and Michael and Alivia Scata; her sister, Shirley Donnelly of Springfield, MA, her lifelong friend Rita Dean, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her beloved husband Ralph, she was predeceased by her brother, Herbert LaValley; her sisters, Doris LaValley and Jeanne Bergeron, and her nephew, Robert LaValley.
Claire’s family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 11 am on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at the Somers Funeral Home, 354 Main Street, Somers. A Funeral Service will follow the visitation at 11 am. Burial will follow at Somers Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104, or Somers Congregational Church, 599 Main St, Somers, CT 06071. For online condolences, please visit www.somersfuneralhome.com.