Claire Swiderski

Feb. 10, 2014, marked the passing of Claire Gaylets Swiderski, 91, of Fleetville, Pa., after suffering a stroke at home. She was a patient in the Commonwealth Hospice Unit of Regional Hospital of Scranton, but until then lived independently at home.

Claire was born and raised in Avoca, Pa., one of eight siblings to Lillian Guy and Nicholas Gaylets. Claire found her soulmate, Joseph Swiderski, while employed by the Oppenheim family, caring for their children. After their marriage in 1948, they lived in Fleetville, raising two daughters, Caroline Seamans, currently residing in Fleetville with her husband, John, and Mary Petrilak, currently residing in Greenfield Twp. Mary is associated with Sleepy Hollow Golf Course and Sleepy Hollow Turf Equipment companies in Greenfield Twp. Claire and Joe were married 51 years, until his passing in March 1999.

Claire experienced the loss of siblings who include her twin sister, Helen Mills, as well as Margaret Schmidt, Mary Ananka, Robert Gaylets and James Gaylets. Sisters, Jeanne Rosov and Dorothy Northcutt, currently reside in Wichita, Kan., and Charlottesville, Va., respectively.

Claire has two grandsons, Nicholas (Nick) Petrilak, who is associated with the family businesses and known for his participation in regional dirt- track racing, and Jonathan (Jon) Petrilak, Annapolis, Md., who is employed in Landscape Agronomy in the D.C. metro area.

Claire was an active member of Our Lady of the Snows and Our Lady of the Abingtons churches. She was employed as a pediatric nurse at Father Bakers Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y., prior to her marriage. She was retired as a child care manager at Lourdesmont School, Clarks Summit, after 35 years of dedicated service.

She enjoyed close relationships with numerous nieces and nephews and also a circle of friends, with whom she quilted and played pinochle.

A memorial service will be held in the spring at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Countryside Conservancy, P.O. Box 55, LaPlume, PA 18440.

Her family appreciates and respects the care she received from Dr. Tamrat Bekele and the Commonwealth Hospice team, as well as her new friend and caregiver, Paula Saxe, Peckville, who remained at her bedside throughout her illness.

We grieve not for our loss, but we rejoice in her rich life. With grace and dignity, she has left us all better people.

Arrangements are being made by Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit