AUBURN — Claire L. Belisle, 53, of Auburn, passed away peacefully early Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Hospice House, following a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Lewiston, Nov. 10, 1958, the daughter of Roger J. and Marie Anne (Poirier) Belisle. Following Claire’s gradation from Edward Little High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine as well as a master’s degree from the University of Maine in Orono. Her education led her to the research of entomology, where she was a published author in the field as well as a lab researcher for Rutgers University for a number of years.

Claire was also a literacy volunteer and a member of an international society of members with a high IQ called MENSA. She was an avid cat lover who also enjoyed the outdoors.

Survivors include two sisters, Helen Jolin and her husband, Fern, of Auburn and Janine Champagne and her husband, Rene, of Auburn; two nephews, Robert Champagne and his wife, Joanna, of Hartford and Jay Champagne of Chicago, Ill.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her infant sister, Marie Rita Belisle.

The family would like to thank the staff at Androscoggin Hospice for their wonderful care given to Claire during her stay.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.