Clare E. Colangelo passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 27, 2011. Clare was born in New York City on June 30, 1944 the daughter of the late G. Harlow and Loretta Gardner.
Clare’s family moved to Fanwood, NJ when Clare was 11 years old. She graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School and received a teaching degree from Montclair University. She taught Home Economics for 6 years in East Brunswick Township, NJ. She then became a stay at home mother for her two sons in Freehold Township, NJ.
A talented seamstress and her love for sewing, Clare maintained a small dress making business from her home. She served as a religious education teacher and a coordinator of the confirmation program in the St Robert Bellarmine Church in Freehold for many years. For the past 7 years she has spent winters in Florida and summers in Ocean City, NJ.
Clare is survived by her loving husband, Robert, of 42 years and two sons, John of Baltimore, Md., and Daniel and his wife Carol of Mechanicsburg, PA. She is also survived by two brothers, Joseph and his wife Susan of Ocean City and Marco Island, Florida and Dr. Donald Gardner and his wife Billie of Brookfield Center, CN and Ocean City. Clare is also survived by many nieces and nephews who adored their Aunt Clare. Her grandson, Aaron, was the source of great happiness and pride for her.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Friday evening, February 4, 2011 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at THE GODFREY FUNERAL HOME 644 South Shore Rd. Palermo NJ., and on Saturday morning from 10:00am until her Funeral Mass 11:00 am at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 40th and Asbury Ave. Ocean City. A Memorial Service will be held in Naples at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Clare's name to Gilda's Club of South Jersey, 700 New Road, Linwood, NJ 08221.