Claire L. Nolan

Claire Louise Nolan, 97 of Albany died peacefully at home on September 21, 2022, the last day of summer. She was born and raised in Akron, OH. Her husband, Edward predeceased her in 2013. She is survived by nine of her ten children. Her eldest child, Rita passed away in 2020. Her living children are Edward (Rita); Patty; Mary Lou (Chris Gillham); Cathy (Jim Schmid); Peggy (Louis Eagle); Claire (Bert Schou); Tim (Lorraine Olendzenski); Paul (Randi); and Julie (Jimmy Dolan). Claire is also survived by Rita’s widow, Chris Colarusso. She will be lovingly remembered by her younger sister, Mary Morgan. Claire was blessed with sixteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren; she was often heard to say, “two people make a village!” Although all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were important to her and gave her great joy, her daughter, Patty and her grandson, Patrick Gillham hold a very special place. Patty lived with her mother and was a caring companion. Patrick lived with Claire during her last year of life and was a great help to her in ways too numerous to mention. Their love and devotion are greatly appreciated. Claire also leaves behind a loving host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Claire graduated from Notre Dame College near Cleveland, OH where she met her future husband, Edward P. Nolan. They were married in 1948, at the Church of the Gesu in University Heights, OH. As newlyweds, they lived in married student housing in Chicago while Ed attended medical school at Loyola University. Claire worked for the Cook County Department of Social Services as a social worker until the birth of her daughter, Rita. In 1953 they moved to Albany, and Albany has been her home ever since. Claire was artistic, and she expressed her art in a loving and beautiful home for her large family, She encouraged her children to be compassionate, peaceful, and just. When her children were grown, and Claire had more time for herself she found delight in playing bridge and bowling. She valued the many friendships she made at the bridge table and the bowling alley. She and Ed shared many adventures including riding hundreds of miles together on their tandem bicycle. Claire was elegant, thoughtful, and honorable. She was a defender of the oppressed. She had opinions and was not afraid to express them. Claire was a woman of her time. She kept up with the news, especially politics and she was concerned for the future of our planet. Claire’s family would like to thank her home health aide, Maria Windham who provided Claire with expert and compassionate care during the last months of her life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Thursday at 11:00 am at the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Americas, 273 Central Ave. Albany. Relatives and friends may also call on Wednesday at Magin & Keegan Funeral Home, 891 Madison Ave. Albany from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will follow Mass at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 2501 Troy Schenectady Rd. Niskayuna. Covid: Please use your best judgement. If you are feeling unwell, please wear a mask. If you would like to remember Claire in a special way, please consider a donation to the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Americas.

Claire L. Nolan

November 9, 1924 - September 21, 2022