AUBURN – Claire Provencher Burnham, 81, of Lewiston, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, peacefully after a short illness.

She was born April 12, 1927, the daughter of Emelia and Albert Provencher. She worked at Bates Mill, where she met her husband, Clyde of 58 years. He predeceased her on May 1, 2006.

She spent most of her life on Pond Road in Lewiston, her childhood home at the Provencher Farm and in 1948, moved 600 feet to her new home built by her and her husband.

She loved cats, dogs, crocheting, and collecting teddy bears and also baskets. She was an accomplished seamstress, making her own clothes as well as for her grandchildren when they were young. She also loved being around people and in later years participated in several groups when she made many friends.

Survivors include one son, Richard Burnham and wife, Pauline, of Lewiston; one sister, Juliette Morin and husband, Norman, of Lisbon; four grandchildren, Rebecca and family of Colorado, Erick and family of Florida, Jessica and Jonathan and family of Lisbon and Connie Durette her devoted niece and her husband, Frank, of Lewiston; four great-grandchildren, Stefanie, Darian, Samuel and Daniel; as well as several nieces and nephews.