Claire I. Meade, 88, peacefully left this life Friday, January 12, 2018, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Pancreatic Cancer, to join her loving husband Robert, whom predeceased her 27 years ago, August 21, 1991. Claire was born December 7, 1929 in Beverly, MA the daughter of Lawrence and Louise (Smith) Gamble. She was a graduate of Beverly High School in 1948. Claire was employed at New England Telephone Co. from her late teens until the birth of her first child and stayed home with her children until all were in school. Claire was employed at McDonald’s and Univex Corporation briefly and eventually went back to New England Telephone Company/AT&T until her retirement. She married the love of her life, Robert I. Meade on December 21, 1952. They were happily married until his death in 1991. Claire was a Cub Scout den leader for her sons and a Brownie den leader for her daughter. She volunteered as an aide at her children’s school. Claire enjoyed camping, travelling, knitting, crocheting, sewing, cooking and all crafts. She was an avid reader of romance, mystery and western novels. In later years Claire learned to line dance and travelled with friends and family. Claire will be remembered as a loving sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Claire is survived by her sons, Robert Meade and wife, Donna, of Raymond, NH, and Gary Meade and wife, Martha, of Atkinson, NH, and son Steven Meade and his wife, Jill, of Brookline, NH; daughter, Doreen Linehan of Salem, NH; grandchildren, Larry Linehan and wife Heather, Melissa Dadian and husband, Andrew, Chris Meade, Tiffany Spanos, William Spanos and wife, Lindsey, Michael Colby, Robert Meade and Samuel Meade; great grandchildren; Dylan Linehan, and Jake Collins and Laney Spanos; brother Earle Gamble of GA, and sister Wilma Norman and husband, Alden, of Alton Bay, NH, and sister- in-law Irene Gamble of Beverly, MA; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Claire was predeceased by her parents Lawrence and Louise Gamble, her brothers,. Lawrence  Gamble, Elmer Gamble and Leroy Gamble and her sister, Doris Morse.

Family and friends are invited to visiting hours on Friday January 19, 2018 from 9am to 11am at the Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, Salem, NH.  Funeral services conducted by Pastor Nory Leachon will follow the visitation at 11:00am on Friday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Salem, NH. To leave an online condolence, please go to www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com. 

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