Claire Begeal

Claire Begeal, 88, of Madrid died on Sunday, August 12, 2012 at the United Helpers Maplewood Campus, Canton where she had been a resident since July 20. There will be no funeral or calling hours, a graveside service will be scheduled at later time.
Contributions in her memory are suggested to a local charity, Hospice and Palliative Care of the St. Lawrence Valley; Meals on Wheels or the Potsdam Humane Society. Claire's arrangements are under the care of the O'Leary Funeral Service of Canton.
Surviving Claire are a daughter Marcia Derouchia of Texas; a son Dennis Begeal of Virginia and a grandson Christopher Derouchia of Louisiana.
Claire was born June 21, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of the late William and Clara (McVarnish) Hill. She received her Master in Education from Potsdam State Teachers College. Claire was married to Herman Begeal; he predeceased her in May of 1991. During WWII, while studying nursing Claire was a nursing cadet for the US Military.
She worked as treasurer at the Madrid-Waddington Central School as well as a substitute teacher. Claire retired from St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services after several years as a resource officer. Claire worked with the Elderhostel program as well as was chairman of the SOAR program through SUNY Potsdam. She was a member of the Madrid American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Auxiliary League #1513, was a den mother for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts when her children were young and she enjoyed bowling for the Gray Lanes Bowling league in Canton. She also dealt with antiques with her husband at "The Junque Barn" in Madrid.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com.