Florence Claire Brosnan
February 15, 1928 ~ July 13, 2015
Florence Claire (Noonan) Brosnan, 87, of Portland, formerly of Cape Elizabeth, died Monday, July 13, 2015 at Mercy Hospital, surrounded by family. Born on February 15, 1928 in Medford, Massachusetts, Claire was the daughter of the late Francis J. and Florence (Dunphy) Noonan. She graduated from Girls Catholic High School in Malden, Massachusetts, Class of 1946, where she was the valedictorian and earned a full scholarship to Emmanuel College. Claire graduated from Emmanuel in 1950, earning her Bachelor of Science degree. Nearly 30 years after graduating from college, Claire made the decision to earn her Masters Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Maine, graduating in 1980. Claire taught first and third grade at Pond Cove Elementary School for 25 years. She was one of the first teachers in Cape Elizabeth to earn a Master Teacher credential. Committed to education, Claire was a member and former Vice President of the Cape Elizabeth Teachers Association. Claire retired from teaching in 1989. She was a founding member and former communicant of St. Bartholomew Church. In her free time, she faithfully followed college football and the New England Patriots. Claire will be remembered for her love of her family and her teaching, her intelligence, and her generosity. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 36 years, Francis B. Brosnan in 1989 and her brother Francis Noonan, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Karen MacDonald and husband Terence of Portland; son, Master Gunnery Sgt. Mark A. Brosnan, USMC (Retired), and wife Kathleen of California; and sister, Margaret McCarthy of Hamilton, MA. Claire is also survived by six grandchildren: Violet, Nina, Kellie, Henry, Ryan, and Charles and four great-grandchildren: Jacob, Evelyn, Jedidiah and Audrey. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2015 from 4-7PM at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the Funeral Home on Monday, July 20, 2015 at 10:15AM followed by an 11AM Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave, Portland. Interment to follow at Riverside Memorial Cemetery, Cape Elizabeth. The family extends a special thanks to the skilled and compassionate staff at Mercy Hospital. To view Claires memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to: The Wound Healing Center, Mercy Hospital, 144 State Street, Portland, Maine 04101
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Thank you, Catherine, for the kind words and the great care you helped provide for her. We will surely miss her.
– Karen MacDonald
My condolences to Claire’s family. I was saddened to hear of her passing. Claire was so sweet and helpful to me when I first started teaching. She was a lovely, sweet, kind, caring and an exceptional teacher. Prayers and love to you all.Dorothy
– Dorothy Anderson
I was so sorry to hear of Claire’s passing. She was such an amazing person and teacher. When I first started working as the speech/language therapist at Pond Cove, I looked up to her as did so many others. She was intelligent, competent, level headed, and always treated everyone fairly. She was a skilled teacher who managed to meet the needs of all of her students with kindness and compassion and a sense of humor…. and she did it all with style and grace..without every skipping a beat.She taught three of my children when they were in third grade. I desperately tried to get her to work a few more years so that she could teach the last little Saffer but to no avail. My children are not adults with families of their own and it always makes me smile when I hear them quote Mrs. Brosnan when they are talking with their children. My favorite is when they are trying to get kids to wear hats in the winter and they very conficently tell them: “My third grade teacher, Mrs. Brosnan, said that you lose 80% of your body heat through your head.” I don’t know whether this is true or not but I love that they remember it and are passing it along …. it shows how much they admired and respected her…. a sign of a really good teacher who made a difference in kids’ lives.Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I know that in the days to come you will find comfort in your many memories…. especially of the little things, the small, everyday occurrences, the laughs, the stories, will bring smiles. Please know that my thoughts are with all of you. May her memory be a blessing>Susie
– Susie Saffer
Thank you for both your kind words and your visit on Sunday night. We really appreciate both . It has helped us through this difficult time.
– Mark Brosnan
Dear Karen and family, I just heard about your mother’s passing today. I am so sorry. I know that she struggled many years. She was lucky to have you as a daughter. I know she is missed, but believe that she’s in a better place free from pain and illness. My thoughts are with you and your family.EllenBeautiful photo of her…you two look so much alike! xoxo
– Ellen Norton
It was my pleasure to know Claire and to work with Karen as we provided services at my previous employer. Such an impressive woman. I know how hard everyone worked to keep her healthy and independent. Very sorry for your loss.All the best. Catherine
– Catherine Studley