Claire Jean Futch

As we played cards in the nursing home dining room, someone said something irreverently funny. Our 89-year-old mother tossed back her head and laughed. That image will last a lifetime.

When she got back to her room, she said, "What a wonderful afternoon."
One sunny day we sat outside at the nursing home's gazebo and she said, "Honey, I'll always be with you, here and there." She has gone there.

Claire Jean Harry Futch was born at home in Plymouth, Pa., on Jan. 17, 1926, to Alvin and Jennie Pearce Harry and was raised in the Episcopal faith. She graduated from Plymouth High School in 1944, attended Rider College in Trenton, N.J., and Wyoming Seminary's Dean School of Business in Kingston. She spent summers at North Lake, Sweet Valley, at her parents' cottage.

She was a secretary at National Distillers in the Wyoming Valley before she met her late husband, James Patrick Futch, at the former Top Hat diner in Kingston. They lived on Carverton Road where Frances Slocum State Park is now located. Claire ran a hand-painted furniture business and had two daughters, Kathy and Bonnie, before moving to Franklin Township.

Our mom adored chocolate, ice cream, baked goodies and shopping for hours on end. One family friend nicknamed her "Momma E-Claire." She loved feeding the birds and watching the chickadees and would pause to watch a pretty sunset or a harvest moon. Her favorite old song was "Tenderly" and she liked "The Waltons," "Golden Girls" and listening to talk radio. Later in life she had attended Assembly of God Church, Trucksville.

She had a terrific smile and wit, even during her time at Allied Services Skilled Nursing in Scranton where she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her daughters thank the entire staff on 4 South, especially med nurse Mary Lou for her kindness and compassion, nurses Helen, Kelly, Ailene, Rob, social workers Tammy and Kathy, the aides, therapists Sarah and Amanda and her roommate, Frances. We wish we could list everyone by name.

Our mom thrived at Allied, giving us the gift of time to talk and laugh that we never would have had. Thank you also to Geisinger physician, Dr. Anthony Wylie and nurse practitioner Nancy, and the staff of Allied Services Hospice, including Lorraine, Michelle, Karen, Dawn and Chaplain David Betts for helping our mom and us through difficult times until her passing on Oct. 24.

Claire has left wonderful memories for her daughter Bonnie Futch Adams and partner, Marilyn Szakal, Clarks Summit; daughter Kathy Futch Millington and husband, Mark, Franklin Township; granddaughter Taylor Millington, Boston; granddaughter Segan Millington Shin, husband Marcus and great-grandson, Emerson, who called her "G.G.", all of California. She is survived by three cousins, all formerly of Plymouth, Harry James, Ohio; Ruth Ann Arthur Phillips, Leola, Pa.; and Jack Harry, Wesley Village; and nieces and nephews.

Our mom has joined our dad, her parents and her beloved aunt, Gertrude Pearce Kendig, of Plymouth, who died shortly after childbirth in the 1930s.

Memorial contributions may be made to the dedicated ambulance volunteers who helped our parents many times over the years. Donations may be made in Claire's name to: Franklin-Northmoreland Ambulance Association, 329 Orange Road, Dallas, Pa., 18612 or Northmoreland Twp. Volunteer Fire Co., 1618 Demunds Road, Dallas, Pa., 18612.

A private viewing and service with Chaplain Betts presiding was held at the family's request at Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, Clarks Summit. Our mom now rests at Memorial Shrine Cemetery.

The lyrics of an old song remind us of her, "I'll find you in the morning sun and when the night is new, I'll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you." Thanks, Mom, for everything.