Claire H. Gavin

SCHENECTADY – Claire H. Gavin, 96, of Rotterdam, passed away on Monday, May 29, 2017 at Ellis Hospital.  Claire was born in Schenectady on November 1, 1920, the daughter of Joseph & Mary Ziolkowski.  She attended Schenectady schools and graduated from Mont Pleasant High School.  She graduated from nursing school and worked as a child nurse at Brady Maternity Hospital in Albany in the early 1940s, and during World War II worked for the General Electric Co. in Schenectady.  She married Joseph V. Gavin of Hoosick Falls in 1950, and moved to Rotterdam.  She later returned to work for the New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance until retiring.  Claire enjoyed gardening as a hobby especially caring for all her rose bushes.  She also loved to travel during her retirement and visited Greece, France and Egypt.

Claire was predeceased by her parents, her husband Joseph; her brothers Otto Ziolkowski, and Donald McCafferty; her foster parents James and Ann McCafferty; her brothers in law Thomas Gavin and Kenneth Gavin; her sisters in law Helena Gavin and Helen Gavin; and her nephew Walter Gavin.  She is survived by her son Ronald Gavin of Duanesburg; her sisters Susan(John) Rudzinski of Schenectady, and Sister Mary Ann McCafferty of Latham; her sister in law Bernice Igo of Rotterdam; her nieces Kristen(Jim) Lebrou of Niskayuna, Amy Rudzinski of Rotterdam , Susan Rudzinski of Schenectady, Kathleen Glasser (Wayne) of Pattersonville, and Judi Bianchine of Rotterdam; and her nephews Dennis and James McCafferty of Schenectady.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday morning at 10:00 am in St. Gabriels Church, Rotterdam.  Relatives and friends are invited.  Calling hours will be held privately.  Interment will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Lung Association, 418 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.