CLAIRE PADDOCK VERENAZI

SPENCERTOWN-It is with great sadness that our mom, Claire P. Verenazi, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the age of 83 with her loving family by her side after a long battle with Alzheimer 's disease.

Born January 5, 1934 in Bronx, NY, Claire was the daughter of the late Walter M. and Charlotte R. Paddock. Claire grew up in Yonkers, NY graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1951 and from Katharine Gibbs School, NY in 1953 with a secretarial degree.

Claire married Albert A. Verenazi on August 14, 1954 after meeting on Queechy Lake while Claire was vacationing with her family. They spent 59 wonderful years together before his passing in 2013. Claire began her career in New York City. She then took time off to raise her family. Claire later began working for Kring Nursing Home part time before becoming a legal secretary for attorneys Alan Hegeman, David Needleman and most recently, Keith Flint Law Firm, retiring in 2008. At the same time, Claire also managed the family farm, Butternut Creek Farm on Pratt Hill Road in Spencertown. Together Claire and Albert worked their dairy until the early 1970s when they sold the cows but still continued to raise and sell hay. She then managed Albert's excavation business.

Being community minded, Claire served on various committees and boards in the local area. Claire was on the Zoning Commission for the Town of Austerlitz, The Board of Directors of the Spencertown Academy, serving as secretary, the Spencertown Tower Club, Trustee for Saint Peter's Presbyterian Church for 7 years while also singing in the choir, serving on the Clara Gott Fund and teaching Sunday school.

Claire loved gardening and was known for her perennial garden. She enjoyed her time with the Kinderhook Garden Club winning awards for various competitions. She also loved to knit, creating beautiful sweaters for her grandchildren before there were too many to keep up with. Claire and Albert enjoyed traveling, having been to Italy, Alaska, New Mexico and many family ski trips, even though she didn't ski. She also enjoyed reading and was a book club member.

Claire's greatest love was that of her family. She was such a loving mother and grandmother (Grammy) and a beautiful lady. We all have fond memories of family and friends gathering together in her home overlooking the beautiful pond and farm.  Left to cherish these memories are her son Gregory (Pamela) Verenazi of Chatham, and their children Glenn, Esther and Katie, her daughter Lynne (David) Michaels of Kattskill Bay and their children Benjamin and Kimberly, her son Mathew (Sandi) Verenazi of Chatham and their children Allyson, Erin and Grant, her sister Beryl (Richard) Zapp of Yorktown Heights, her sister-in-law Kathy Paddock of Boca Raton,FL, several nieces and nephews and her dear friend, Estelle Hawkins of Spencertown.

In addition to her parents and husband Albert, Claire was predeceased by her brother Walter Paddock, Jr.

Our family wishes to thank the caregivers that took such loving care of both of our parents so they could remain at home, Kayla, Lori and Gladys as well as other caring individuals and recently the Community Hospice.

A Memorial service will be held at 5:00pm on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Saint Peter's Presbyterian Church in Spencertown with a celebration of Claire's life immediately following at the Spencertown Fire Company.

In lieu of flowers, Claire would like donations be made in her memory to her favorite charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind at www.guidedogs.org (because she loved her Golden Retriever, Cara) or to The Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty St., Cattskill, NY 12414. For on-line condolences, please visit Wenkfuneralhome.com.