Claire Katherine Steele

Claire Steele, 97, passed away at Wolfeboro Bay Care on September 12 after a long illness. She was born on May 23, 1915 New York City where she spent her formative years surrounded by a large loving family. She married the love of her life, John (Jack) Steele in 1948. Jack was a widower with two young sons, so Claire became an instant mother to Robert, age 5 and Andrew, age 10. The family lived in Connecticut, New Jersey, and later in West Islip, New York where they remained until Jack retired in 1972. Claire spent many years working as an office manager for a dentist. Claire and Jack lived for the next 25 years of retirement in Westlake Village, California where they were very involved in the League of Women Voters and the “Friends of the Library” in Westlake Village. An award was established in Claire’s name in 1995 “honoring individuals who have given extensively of time and effort toward the success of the Westlake Village Daniel K. Ludwig Library.” The couple moved to Wolfeboro in 1999 and lived for a year at Sugar Hill in the Assisted Living wing. In 2000, Claire moved to Wolfeboro Bay Care and Jack joined her a year later. They were loving roommates until Jack’s death in 2005. Claire leaves one son, Bob Steele and his wife, Jenine, formerly of Wolfeboro and now residing in Rome, Georgia. She was predeceased by her other son, Andrew who died in 1979. His widow, Judy Steele, lives in Lake Worth, Florida. Claire leaves four grandchildren, John Steele of Lake Worth, Florida, Laura Steele Bednarek of Kennesaw, Georgia, Christopher Steele of Tamarac, Florida, and Susan Steele Acedo of Royal Palm Beach, Florida. She also leaves her favorite cousin, Louis Kislik of Lebanon, NH who visited her at Wolfeboro Bay Care many times through her last years. Claire has five great grandchildren, Nikki and Hannah Bednarek, and Shelby, Campbell and Max Acedo. Baker-Gagne Funeral Home 85 Mill St. Wolfeboro is assisting the family with the arrangements.