Winter Haven, FL- Claire L. Crean, 88 (1928-2017) formerly from Westfield, MA passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 at Brookdale Senior Living in Winter Haven, FL. She was born in Springfield, MA on November 10, 1928, daughter of the late Gerald Scannell and Florence (Spanill) Scannell. She was a graduate of Cathedral High School and received her bachelor degree from Westfield State College. She then went on to receive her master’s degree and complete additional doctoral coursework at the University of Connecticut. Claire was an employed by the City of Springfield School Department, where she was an elementary school principal. She served most of her career as Principal for Dorman Elementary School and then Frederick Harris Elementary School. Besides education, Claire loved cooking, gardening, golfing, reading and her animals. She also did volunteer work for St. Mary’s Church serving as the Director of the CCD program for a time and then served one term on the Parish Council. Claire is survived by her daughters, Darlene M Crean formerly of Westfield and now residing in Winter Haven and Sherri Crean, formerly of Westfield and now residing in Winter Haven. She also leaves her sister Marilyn (Scannell) Heffernan and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years William E. Crean, her brothers Jerald Scannell and William Scannell and her sister Florence (Scannell) Pollard. Her funeral will be held on Monday at 9AM from the Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad St. Westfield followed by a Mass at St. Mary’s Church 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield at 10:30 with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Southampton Rd. Westfield.There will be visiting hours on Sunday, from 2-5 pm the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the daughters are requesting that donations in Claire’s memory be made to the Humane Society, www.humanesociety.org or mail a donation to Humane Society of Polk County, 3195 Dundee Road, Winter Haven, FL 33884.
