Claire O. DiRenzo, 92, of Westbrook, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Pinnacle Health and Rehab in South Portland on March 13, 2024. She was born in Biddeford on June 14, 1931, daughter to the late Oscar and Lucy (Larrivee) Paradis.

Claire's life was changed for the better when she met Dominic DiRenzo. It was love at first sight for both and they married on September 7, 1952.

Claire and Dominic's lives were profoundly changed when a Southern Baptist Minister moved into their neighborhood and one day was invited into their home. This chance encounter ultimately led them to become born again Christians and set them on a path to welcome the Lord's teaching into their hearts, their lives, and their home. Their children are forever thankful for this as faith became woven into their family values and was an important aspect of keeping them united and grounded. Together, as a unit, Claire and Dominic remained solid, engaged, and dedicated throughout 55 years of marriage; separated only due to his passing in 2008.

Claire loved her family both unconditionally and intensely. She was a mother you could easily talk to intimately and honestly about absolutely anything. This created a closeness that is rare. She was a doting and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother who never missed an opportunity to create memories, share stories from years past or tell others how special her family was to her. She never lost sight of her children. Even as the years passed and her children became adults, she never dismissed a chance to cook for them – to fill their stomachs as they have fed her soul. Salmon pie and, as Dino states, "the best meatballs in Westbrook" were some of her best work.

Claire owned and operated a day care facility where she treated every child as if they were an extension of her own family. Claire and Dominic enjoyed entertaining at their home over the years for family, friends and also hosted weekly bible studies. Some of Claire's hobbies were baking, cooking, cake decoration, crocheting, ceramics, and sewing. Much later in life she totally enjoyed getting out of the house to play bingo with family and where she met new friends.

Claire was very independent, strong, and stubborn and over the last couple of years became deeply concerned about being a burden to her children. Her loving spirit, generous nature and thoughtful heart will be missed by all those who were fortunate to have known her.

Claire is survived by her children: Dino (Leeann) DiRenzo, Robin (John) Batchelder and Tammy Helmick; her grandchildren, Dana DiRenzo, Amber Bushey, Arika Thompson, Ian DiRenzo, Miles DiRenzo, Harlee Kemp, Nicolas Batchelder, Cory Helmick, Kaylee Helmick; her great-grandchildren, Reed DiRenzo, Finley DiRenzo, Nolan Thompson, Patrick Bushey, Jasmine Kemp, Layla Helmick, Dominic Helmick; her sister, Jacqueline. She was predeceased by her loving husband Dominic DiRenzo; her siblings, Robert, Fernand and Jeannette.

Private services were held, and Claire was laid to rest in Forest City Cemetery in South Portland.