Claire Anderson McCann

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(6/6/1923-6/15/2023) Claire passed away peacefully in Ocean Reef, Key Largo, Florida, on June 15, nine days after her 100th birthday. Predeceased by parents, Emil and Flora Anderson and husband, Laurence. Survived by children, Valerie Moore (Richard), Maureen Betancourt (Herb), Beth McCann (Ed Abrams), Laurence McCann Jr. (Susan Furlow-deceased), Molly Ewald (Hiram); grandchildren, Shannon Rovak (Ken), David Moore (Virginia), Thomas McCann (Jana), Peter McCann, Meme Ewald, John Ewald; great-grandchildren, Henry and Nicholas Moore, Claire Rovak, Eleanor McCann; sister Leila Freund and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Claire graduated from the Ansonia High School, where she was a drum majorette, and Skidmore College, after which she entered an executive training program for IBM. She was 19 on D-Day and participated in a kissing booth for the war effort. Claire met her husband, Laurence, at a sailing regatta in Neenah, Wisconsin, where he took her for a ride and capsized the boat. Regardless, they became engaged and were fortunate enough to be serenaded by the Yale Whiffenpoofs. They raised their family of five children and countless dogs on Lake Minnetonka. Claire served as a Trustee for Northrop Collegiate School (Blake), was active in the Junior League and the Boys and Girls Club. Claire had a very successful real estate career, quickly joining the Million Dollar Club. Claire Bear was larger than life; stunning, elegant, fun loving and caring. She never forgot a birthday, sending cards with much alliteration, dressed in a bear outfit every Halloween, sang Irish tunes around the piano at the Angler's Club, and led the Franconia 4th of July parade. Claire was an avid golfer at the Wayzata Country Club and Card Sound. Known as the tennis "assistant member pro" at Ocean Reef, she created the very popular Harvest Moon Extravaganza. Endless gratitude to Marie, Maria G., Maria V., Boris, Georgiette, Greg, Isabel and Ina. A celebration of life at Ocean Reef is being planned for December. Donations preferred to Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities or Keys Children's Foundation.

Published on July 2, 2023