Claire J. Madden

Lewiston, Maine on January 19, 1932, the daughter of John and Clara Coyne Lynch.

She attended Lewiston schools, graduating from Lewiston High School in 1950. In 1954 she earned her

bachelor's degree in English from the University of Maine.

Upon graduation she was employed at the Lewiston Sun-Journal, where she met the love of her life,

Hubert Madden. Together they raised four sons and after taking several years away from work Claire

became a teacher. She taught in multiple parochial schools in Lewiston, including Holy Family School,

before transitioning to the Auburn School Department, where she taught as a reading specialist until her

retirement in 2001. Throughout her career Claire made several close friends with whom she enjoyed

spending time. She especially looked forward to monthly luncheons with the "Retired Teachers" group

from Auburn.

Claire was the epitome of unconditional love, always providing support and understanding even in times

when it might not have been so deserved. She was truly the best mother anyone could ask for and was

considered a "second mom" by many of her sons' friends. She had a gift for listening and for being able

to show you the way without telling you what to do.

Throughout her life she was an avid reader, and she enjoyed baking, arts and crafts, completing

crossword puzzles and playing solitaire. Earlier in life she took classes in ceramics and in stained glass.

Our houses are decorated with beautiful sun catchers which she loved to present as gifts. Until the very

end she was active and engaged, even posting on social media in the days before her passing.

Among her greatest joys was watching her sons and grandchildren competing in sports. She was a

fixture at LHS sporting events from the early 1970's through the late 2010's. Throughout our lives, she

never missed a game!

Claire was predeceased by her husband Hubert, in 1989, and by her first-born son, Michael, in 1976.

She is survived by her son Patrick Madden, her son Matthew Madden and wife Melissa, her son Anthony

Madden and wife Rebecca, grandchildren Christopher, Abigail, Brianna, Devon, Jack and Elizabeth,

great-grandchildren Henry and Aiden, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, March 16 at 10:00AM at Pinette Dillingham and; Lynch

Funeral Home, 305 Alfred A Plourde Parkway, Lewiston, Maine. Funeral services will be held

immediately following at 11:00AM.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Claire's memory to Literacy Volunteers- Androscoggin.

http://www.literacyvolunteersandro.org/LiteracyTributeForm.pdf