Grafton – In the late evening hours of Thursday, January 16, 2025, Claire A. Stines peacefully closed her eyes to this life and opened them again in the presence of her Lord and Savior. She was a devote Catholic who exemplified her faith daily throughout her 95 year life.
Claire was born and raised in Worcester, one of four daughters to Wilfred and Rosealma (Gauthier) Perron. She was a graduate of Worcester Public H.S. prior to earning her business degree at Becker Community College. In 1964, Claire relocated to Shrewsbury and shortly thereafter, to Holden where she remained for the next 29 years.
During the early 1980s, Claire was proud to serve 8 years as a volunteer EMT for the town of Rutland. Early in her career, Claire worked several years as a secretary for the former Bronzo’s Corp. in Shrewsbury.
Following her lifelong love for animals of all types, Claire found purpose as she provided veterinary technician duties over the next 18 years alongside Dr. Daniel Rice, DVM at the Holden Veterinary Clinic. Claire’s final employment was that of an administrative assistant within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Dept. of Environmental Services. Upon her retirement in 1995, Claire relocated to Bradenton, FL and in 2022, returned to Massachusetts to be nearer to her beloved family.
Throughout her life, Claire was an avid follower of sports, especially golf, football and baseball. She enjoyed taking her grandsons to the ballpark, where they would make special memories with each other. She was a loyal Red Sox fan… until she moved to Florida and found the Tampa Bay Rays. With the excitement of taking a chance, Claire would take part in an annual golf pool each year. Claire was proud to have received recognition from the American Red Cross for her commitment to donating a cumulative volume in excess of 45 gallons of blood.
Surviving Claire is her daughter, Dianne Tarka of N. Grafton; two grandsons Michael Tarka and his wife Jennifer of Millbury and Scott Tarka and his wife Melanie of Natick; five great-grandchildren Abby, Lily, Ella, Jake and Grace Tarka; a sister Frances Gibree of Florida and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Florence Vaudreuil and Lorraine Anderson.
Calling hours will be held between 5-7pm on Wednesday, January 22nd, at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am on Thursday, January 23rd, at Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough. Burial in Worcester County Memorial Park – Paxton will be private.
Claire’s family respectfully request memorial donations be directed to UMASS Office of Philanthropy, 365 Plantation St., Biotech One, Worcester, MA 01605 or to Southeastern Guide Dogs, 4210 77th Street East, Palmetto, FL 34221-9270.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.