Obituary of Claire E. Oppel

"Monson- Claire E. (Moore) Oppel, 73, of Brimfield Rd. died May 17 surrounded by her family. Born August 18, 1931 in Springfield, she was the daughter of the late Allen Goff and Isabelle (Tracey) Moore. Claire has lived in Monson for the past 45 years, previously residing in Springfield. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 241 and also held many state offices for the Legion. Claire was instrumental in sending Monson girls to “Girls State,” a governmental camp for high school girls. She was past president of St. Patrick’s Church Council, and the Past President of Monson Council on Aging. Claire was employed by the town of Monson for 35 years before retiring. She was predeceased by her husband Robert H. in 1990 and is survived by her children, Robert H., Jr., Deborah J. Harris, William E., and Diane M. Oppel all of Monson. Claire also leaves her siblings Thomas Moore of Newton, Ralph Moore of Murphy, N.C., and Catherine Carlin of Springfield as well as her grandchildren, Jonathan and Christopher Harris, Matthew, Michael and Brett Oppel. Besides her husband, Claire was predeceased by a brother William. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church with burial in Bethany Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Donations may be made in her memory to the Monson Fire Department and Ambulance, Monson, MA 01057 or to the Quaboag Valley Hospice, 41B Wright St., Palmer. "