“Billie” Nestle St.Clair, of Needham and previously Wellesley and Chatham MA, the daughter of Asenath R. and William P. Nestle, was born and raised in Long Beach, California. She is survived by her daughter Margaret “Peggy” N. St.Clair, Peggy’s husband John R. Fitzgerald and their daughters, Paige, Reid and Quinn Fitzgerald; her son D. Scott St.Clair and his sons, David, Brett and Jack St.Clair; and her son Thomas B. St.Clair and his daughters Kate and Julia St.Clair.
Billie would often speak of her childhood escapades including raising a large white pet duck, Pudgy Pants, as a companion. After the start of World War II she volunteered to learn to fly in order to ferry planes across the country as they were needed. To her disappointment, after she received her pilot’s license the height restrictions were changed so that she no longer qualified. In Long Beach she met and married James D. St.Clair, her Jimmy, when he was stationed in the Navy there. After the end of the war they left for Cambridge so that he could complete Harvard Law School. His subsequent employment at the then small Boston law firm of Hale and Dorr, now WilmerHale, made Massachusetts their life-time home, and she grew to love snow.
As a proud California Girl she was uniquely full of enthusiasm and joy which she abundantly shared with others. She was equally loved by her many friends, her children’s friends, and even her grandchildren’s friends who all knew her by the special name her grandchildren chose for her: Meem. Her sense of humor was legendary and her laugh contagious. Her homes were always open and full of fun as she welcomed family and friends of every generation. She loved having parties around her pool or on Cape Cod. Her celebrations of every holiday were particularly wonderful.
She thought of her life as a grand adventure. She traveled the world with her husband, children and other friends and family, thrilled to see new places and meet new people. She had a huge heart and was renowned for treating everyone with absolute kindness and as a friend she would keep for years.
For her family she was always the number one booster. She supported her husband as his litigation career burgeoned and his services were sought in Washington in the Army-McCarthy hearings and then by President Nixon, and by other clients around the country and overseas including mayors of Boston and governors of Massachusetts. Her children could always count on her full encouragement and equally her wise advice. Her grandchildren knew that she was their biggest fan. She lived the concept of keeping her family close.
She will be terribly missed, but her remembered love, support and sparkling smile will strengthen our lives. A garden, a flower, a cute pig, anything purple or turquoise, and even a bridge hand will be reminders of her. She will never, ever be forgotten, and she will always be loved and honored.
Services are private; however, you are invited to join the family and others at Brae Burn Country Club, 326 Fuller Street, Newton, MA for tea from 3 to 5pm on Monday, March 17, 2014. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift in her honor to Discovering Justice, The James D. St.Clair Court Education Project, One Courthouse Way, Suite 3120, Boston MA 02210 http://www.discoveringjustice.org
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