Claire Agnes Geggatt

Claire Agnes Geggatt (Henner) age 100, passed peacefully on December 30, 2024 at Alden Court in Fairhaven, MA where she had resided since 2020. Claire was the daughter of Jean Henner and Rosalma Henner (Frechette). She was predeceased by her brothers Roland Henner and Alfred Henner. She is survived by her older sister, Lorraine Booker of Berkley. Claire was a mother to six children; Lloyd Geggatt and his wife Chris of Kauai HI, Edith Geggatt (deceased), Patricia Geggatt Midurski and her husband Peter of Acushnet, Danna Geggatt Ryder (deceased), Timothy Geggatt and his wife Adriana of Acushnet and Cindy Blais and her husband Daniel of Fairhaven. Claire considered herself blessed to be a grandmother of six: Heather Reed; Rebecca Quail and her husband David; Meghan Bell and her husband George; Johnny Blais and his wife Dorinda; Margaret Midurski; Stephanie Midurski. Her family continued to grow with the addition of 9 great-grandchildren; Christopher Trombly; Andrew Watson; Nicole Watson; Alexxis Reed; David Quail Jr; Caitlin Quail; Weston Raphael; Meghan Blais; Karina Blais.

As a child, Claire lived in New Bedford then moved to Acushnet when she married Lloyd Geggatt in 1947. She would reside in Acushnet until 2020. For the first 8 years of her marriage, Claire lived in a small 4-room house raising 2 children, cooking on a woodstove and having no indoor plumbing. She worked side by side with her husband on the dairy farm. In 1956, the family moved to the Geggatt Homestead located at 680 Main Street. In addition to raising the children and helping with the farm chores, she assumed the task of keeping the books for the dairy farm. In subsequent years, Claire became a Girl Scout Leader as well as a Sunday School teacher. After the closure of the dairy farm in 1967, Claire began to work at the O’Ring division of Acushnet Company as a Quality Control Inspector. In the late 70’s, Claire began her next chapter by opening Fairview Farms in partnership with daughter Edie. She taught many crafts including macrame, painting, pierce and cut lampshades and herb wreath making.

Having to leave school as a young girl to help support her family, Claire accomplished her dream of completing her high school education by obtaining her GED after the death of her husband in 1990. Claire continued her education by taking computer classes which led to her job at Coastline Elderly Services as an Administrative Assistant. She worked at Coastline until the tender age of 90. In her last decade of life, she helped to establish Soldiers Helpers with her niece Alice Henner Decie. The military became another family to her. The purpose of Soldiers Helpers was to address physical and emotional needs by sending care packages with necessities, and snacks, along with cards to the members of the military to let them know someone was thinking of them. One of Claires proudest moments was receiving an award in recognition of the work she did to better the lives of the soldiers.

In the late 1990’s, Claire’s daughter Edie joined the band Up All Night. Going to the “gigs” became one of Claire’s favorite pastimes. She very rarely missed going to hear the band and could be heard singing and clapping on cue. Often you would hear her shout out requests for songs as she knew the playlist by heart. She was very proud of her daughter, and it showed! Music always brought Claire joy, and she continued to attend live music shows until the Covid pandemic.

The family of Claire Geggatt would like to offer their sincerest thanks to the staff of Alden Court for the love, patience, kindness and care given to Claire over the past 4 years

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or a Veteran’s organization of your choice.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00PM with a service at 5:30PM in the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd. New Bedford, MA. Relatives and friends are invited.

Her Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2025 in the Rock Funeral Home followed by a burial in Acushnet Cemetery. To leave a note of condolence: www.rock-funeralhome.com