AUBURN – M. Claire Kane Skelton died peacefully at home on Aug. 29, surrounded by her loving family, following a four-month battle with ovarian cancer.

She was born in Newton, Mass., on May 12, 1931, to George P. and Alice Donahue Kane. She attended parochial schools in Newton and graduated from Boston College School of Nursing in 1953.

She worked for five years at Boston Children’s Hospital. She nursed burn victims, assisted on the first heart pump operation and cared for children during the last measles and polio epidemics.

In 1958, she married William B. Skelton. They moved into their first and only home in Auburn in 1959, where they raised their family and welcomed countless friends. She was a model of ease, grace, patience, faith and confidence for her children. She was the touchstone and undying support for her husband, Bill.

She was an active member of the Lewiston-Auburn community. Among other associations, she was a friend of the Auburn Public Library, a member of the Women’s Hospital Association and the Maine Bar Association Auxiliary, and a past president of Tri-County Mental Health Services. She worked with Doncaster and retired as a district sales manager in 1990.

She was a loving wife and mother, an avid and eclectic reader and a tolerant “first mate.” For the 12 years following their retirements, she and Bill sailed south from Maine on their boat “Showtime” in the fall, wintered in the Bahamas and sailed home each spring.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Jane Skelton and Ed Bearor of Bangor, Sue and Bill Porter of Flagstaff, Ariz., Anne Skelton of Auburn, Beth and Dan Perry of Cumberland Center, Amy Skelton and Craig McKenzie of Margaretville, Nova Scotia, and Bill and Sarah Skelton of Auburn; by beloved grandchildren, Joe, Meg and Tom Bearor, Tanner and Sara Porter, Katie and Maura Perry, Emma, Molly and Grace Skelton, and Axel McKenzie; by sisters, Marie Vachon of Ramsey, N.J., and Abigail Burns Morgan of Hull, Mass.; and by many special nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband; and by her infant son, William B. Skelton III. She will be remembered and missed by wonderful friends.

The family extends special thanks to the staff at Central Maine Medical Center and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the remarkable care and comfort provided during Claire’s illness.