Claire Louise Wing

Claire Louise Wing was born in Essex Jct., VT in 1943 to Leopold Andrew Yandow and Irene Winifred (Ladue) Yandow. She had 5 sisters and 1 brother; her oldest sister was Elaine Yandow, next Barbara Casper, then Joan Menard, Carol Latulippe, Pauline Parks and Paul Yandow.

Claire enjoyed painting, flowers, reading magazines, hiking, gardening, baking, playing racquetball, walking, and going to the ocean or the lake for picnics. For hobbies she wrote for the local paper in New Hampshire – where she was the cowriter of the weekly Water Village News column, she also hiked all of the highest peak mountains in New Hampshire, was a volunteer at the Ossipee Central School Library, The Women’s Guild – especially at the annual strawberry festival, volunteered at church in VT, NH and Maine, was in the Robbinston Historical Society, Garden Club, Birthday club, Immaculate Conception Sodality, and Bunco club when she lived in Calais, Maine area.

After graduating from high school, she met Victor A. Morin, Jr. in Burlington, VT; they both went to Rice Memorial High School, and planned a fall wedding at St. Anthony’s in Burlington, when Vic got back from active duty in the Marine Corps, and after Claire had finished her business/secretarial studies at Champlain College. Claire graduated, and moved to South Portland with her sister Joan, and shared an apt. together. Claire then worked for a dentist as her first job. Vic and Claire married in 1963, and they lived shortly in So Portland, where their first child Kelly was born, and then moved to Westbrook, for a couple of years. They moved back to Burlington, VT several years later to be closer to Claire’s family – and that is where their son Michael was born.

After living in a cute ranch house on Pine Street in Burlington for 7 years, Vic and Claire moved to New Hampshire where they bought an old farmhouse in Water Village, and Claire worked for the J. Clifton Avery Insurance Agency; she loved her work family there and was an amazing businesswoman – very precise and great customer service!

Several years later, they relocated back to Maine and purchased The Downeaster Motel in Red Beach, which Claire owned and ran for many years. During this period, significant changes occurred in Claire’s life, she and Vic separated, and Claire continued running the motel with Mike while he attended college. Several years later, Claire met Dale Wing from Rumford, ME, who resided in both Robbinston and Calais. Dale and Claire were introduced by Dale’s daughter, Sonja, at Mingo’s Evergreen Products, where Claire was making wreaths as her second job during the motel’s off season, and the two soon became inseparable; they went to movies, X-country skiing, dinner at the Kwong Wah Chinese restaurant, and got to know each other. Whenever they went somewhere Claire would sit right next to Dale, in his truck, they were so cute. Dale and Claire were married in June 1995, and they enjoyed 22 years of marriage, until Dale’s unfortunate passing in 2017. During the off season of the motel, they travelled around the United States in their camper and enjoyed visiting family and friends. Many returning customers and friends also came to stay/visit with them throughout the years at the Motel. Mom made the best quick breads, muffins, and squares for the continental breakfasts on the motel porch!

Together, Dale and Claire managed the motel until Claire retired at the age of 64. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, and she lived with it gracefully for 17 years. After her last summer in Robbinston, Claire moved to Portland to reside at The Park Danforth, closer to her children Kelly & Mike. She lived independently there and was admired for her strength and determination in managing life with the disease. Claire remained true to herself, displaying sharp intellect, humor, and bravery in facing these new challenges.

Next came, Fallbrook Woods Assisted Living and finally The Cedars - where she lived her last 2 years, until her passing. She was always kindly and genuinely supported at all 3 places, and cared for lovingly by the staff, nurses, & Compassus Hospice.

She is remembered by her children: daughter Kelly Day, son-in-law David of Westbrook, and son Michael Morin of Portland. Additionally, she is remembered by her stepdaughter Sonja Wing of Baring Plt. and stepson Courtney Henry (and her stepdaughter-in-law Christine) of Herman, as well as Claire’s step-grandchildren Jacqui, Evan, Alex, and Courtney III and three step-great-grandchildren Mason, Herja Claire, and Elowyn. Also, by her sister Pauline Parks (& husband Lee) in Iowa, Carol Latulippe, sister in Florida, and her brother Paul Yandow (& wife Cheryl), in North Hero, VT. Many cousins, family members, godchildren, and friends from VT, NH, Iowa, Florida, N. Carolina, Connecticut, Tennessee, Virginia, Louisiana, New York, Canada & Maine will also remember Claire. Her friends Marlene, Titia, Sharon, Bertha, Kathy, Christine, Margaret & Roger, Ralph & Jane, Felicity and many others were significant in her life. Her sisters Joan Menard, Elaine Yandow, Barbara Casper, and her parents had predeceased her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Sat, March 22nd at St. Pius X, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland, Maine at 11:00 AM with Fr. John Michalowski. A lunch reception will follow in the church hall, featuring Claire’s favorite recipes. If you would like to contribute, please contact Claire’s daughter Kelly or bring a dish that Claire enjoyed.

The family is planning a picnic in the Lake Champlain Islands this summer or fall, with details to be decided at the March funeral mass or shortly after. Claire will be interred in the family plot at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington, VT.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Claire’s memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 or online at www.michaeljfox.org.

Arrangements are with Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home in Portland, Maine.

Rest in peace, Claire Louise Wing, beloved daughter, sister, mom, cousin, aunt, great auntie, friend, coworker, mother-in-law, Grammie, and great grandmother. Forever in our hearts!