Clare Spellman Holmes

Clare Spellman Holmes passed away Sunday morning at Golden Living Center – Summit in Wilkes-Barre where she had been a patient for the past year.

Born in Plains, the youngest of three daughters born to James and Grace McCole Spellman, she remained in the family home on West Merritt Street for most of her life.

Clare graduated from her parish high school, Sacred Heart, in 1942. She became one of the legions of women workers joining the labor force during World War II and for decades was a member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.

Clare and her sister Bette both moved to Wilkes-Barre about ten years ago where they lived at the Marlboro Apartments and were members Our Lady of Fatima Parish at Saint Mary’s Church until Bette’s death in 2009. Their loving sister Marian passed away in Ohio some years before.

Clare’s memories of growing up with her sisters in Plains together with those of attending Sacred Heart School for twelve years provided her with recollections that sustained her until the very end. Like most of our mothers, she was, or course, perfect.

Clare is survived by her only son, John of Wilkes-Barre; a nephew, Preston Garvin of Ohio, his wife Margaret and their three children, Karen, Kristi and P.J.

Her son is grateful to Dr. Patrick Kerrigan and for the heroic efforts and kindness of the nursing staff and caregivers at Golden Living Center.

Funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 AM at McLaughlin’s – The Family Funeral Service, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Hanover Township.

Visitation will begin Friday at 9:30 AM at McLaughlin’s.

Permanent messages and memories can be shared with Clare’s family at www.celebrateherlife.com