QUEENSBURY - Claire Alyce (Monahan) Bilodeau, 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 8, 2016, at Glens Falls Hospital.
She was born March 5, 1935, in Burlington, Vermont, the daughter of the late William A. Monahan and Viola H. (Alapa) Monahan Rash.
After attending school in Burlington, Claire fell in love and married Robert D. Bilodeau, her long time childhood neighbor, on May 5, 1953. The two together built a long and successful Air Force life. They traveled to or lived in many exciting places such as Libya, Morocco, and many states in the USA. Claire and Bob very much enjoyed raising their children as an proud Air Force family. Claire stated to her children that "being your Dad's wife and your mother was the most important thing ever done by me".
Upon her husband's retirement from the Air Force, Claire and Bob settled in Clifton Park, NY. Once her children went off to school, Claire created a successful career, moving up the ladder quickly both at Prophet Foods and Greyhound Foods; ultimately promoted to Upper Management. She and her husband then purchased Midway Market, a family grocery store in Champlain, NY, from which they retired and moved to Fort Myers, Florida. Claire considered this her second childhood and said that it was far more fun than her first one.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Robert D. Bilodeau Sr, and her son, Robert D. Bilodeau Jr.
Claire is survived by her loving children, daughter in law Linda S. (Todd) Bilodeau, Stephen M. Bilodeau Sr., Eric D. Bilodeau and his wife Monique, Roxanne C. Gillen and her husband Edward and Michele A. Lafleur and her husband David; 14 grandchildren, Sara, Robin, Stephen Jr., Thomas, Alyce, Sean, Chelsea, Rebecca, Amanda, Donald Jr., David, Shane, Christian, and Keady Claire and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her favorite four legged daughter Daisy Mae.
Friends may call from 5-7pm on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main Street, South Glens Falls, NY 12803.
A funeral service will be conducted at 7pm following calling hours at the funeral home with Sister Donna Irvine, SSND officiating.
Interment at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery will take place at 10am on Wednesday, September 14, 2016.
Claire's family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Dr. Filion's Office, Fort Hudson Home Care and at Glens Falls Hospital's C.R. Wood Cancer Center, Tower 2 and 3 North for the caring and kindness shown to their mom throughout her illness.
To leave online condolences or to view Claire’s Book of Memories, please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.