Marie Anna Yolande Claire Desmarais born on Saturday, September 25, 1937 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada died on January 16, 2018 at Mary’s Haven in Saratoga Springs.  She was the daughter of the late Georges and Irene (Jodoin) Desmarais.  Claire Grew up in Rosemont in Montreal.

After graduating from St. Marc High School in Montreal in June 1954 at the age of 16, Claire worked in Montreal for the Federal Tax Department until she turned eighteen when she finally realized her dream to wear the uniform of the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1955.  After basic training, she was chosen to attend “Fighter Control Operator School” in Clinton, Ontario then transferred to Mont Apica in the Parc des Laurentides in Quebec.  In December 1956 she was transferred to the NATO base in Metz, France.  She went from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Le Havre, France on the Cunard RMS Ivernia liner.

In Metz she met her future husband who was in the American Air Force.  They were married in 1957 and transferred to Trier Germany where they lived till they were shipped back to the United States.  They were divorced in 1978.  In 1984 Claire married Roy Moss who died in 2009.

She is survived by her daughter Doris (Mac) McKinley, Sheryl (Michael) Burke and her beloved son Richard Carlsen, her grandchildren, Walter (Jackie) Piekarz, Nicole (Webster) Madison, Sage and Carson McKinley, Garrett Kimblern and Mikayla Burke; great-grandchildren, Zac Piekarz, Audrey Madison, Silas Madison, Cash, Canyon and Camden Kimblern.

Claire was predeceased by her two brothers Paul and Marc Desmarais and her niece Ginette Prieur. 

At Claire’s request there will be no visitation or service.  Claire will be buried in the Desmarais Cemetery plot in Sutton Quebec, Canada.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the Saratoga Community Hospice for their love, care and compassion for Claire during her illness.

In lieu of flowers donations in honor of Claire can be made to the Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  

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