Claire Smith, 88, beloved wife of the late Wheeler Smith, died peacefully on Friday, December 16, 2016, at McLean Home. She was born on September 23, 1928, in Hartford, CT, the daughter of the late Francis J. and Irene Coope. She was a lifelong Connecticut resident, graduating from Hartford High in 1946 and residing in Simsbury since 1954. Claire and Wheeler met while working at Connecticut General and married in 1949. Together they raised six children and Claire was blessed to be a homemaker. Over the years, she volunteered for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, McLean Home and St. Alban's Episcopal Church, most recently as a member of the Altar Guild. She enjoyed gardening and was a voracious reader who taught her children to love books. She started every morning with the Hartford Courant and never skipped a page. Mom loved babies, watching storms come over the ocean and big ships. She loved traveling, but her fondest memories were of summers spent at Hawk's Nest Beach and on Cape Cod. After nearly 59 years of marriage, Wheeler predeceased Claire, whom he called Joey, his joy. She was also predeceased by two brothers, Paul and Bill Coope, brothers-in-law Art Fournier and Donald S. Smith and sister-in-law Lois Smith, as well as most recently, special cousin Mary Lou Giangreco. She is survived by her brother Jim (Doris) Coope, sisters Kathy (Don) Corkum and Betty Fournier, and sister-in-law F. Evelyn Smith. Her legacy lives on through her son, Wheeler (Eileen) Smith, Jr., and five daughters: Nancy (Philip) Kneese, Laurie (Chris) Darling, Ellen (Tom) Marhefki, Carey (Jeff) Even and Martie (Dave) Byrd. She was a loving grandmother to 17 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, December 20th at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 197 Bushy Hill Rd, Simsbury, with burial immediately following at Simsbury Cemetery on Plank Hill Road. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Monday, December 19th at the Hayes-Huling and Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook Street, Granby. Claire's long, healthy life was due to the gift of life, a kidney donation which she received in 1991. In lieu of flowers, please consider registering as an organ donor in memory of Claire and her faithful Joe Kidney, or a donation to the , 2139 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Finally, our family extends a grateful thanks for the enduring friendship, care and attention shown to both our parents during their years at McLean Home. Peace and love.Please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com for online condolences and guest book.