AUBURN – Claire Campagna Naum, 93, of Auburn, passed away on April 24, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Born Oct. 31, 1929, in Lewiston, Claire was a devoted sister, wife, mother and grandmother. Born during the Great Depression, her childhood fostered a silent strength that laid the foundation for her career and family. She met her husband of 68 years, George Naum, at LeBlanc’s Department Store where she worked part-time while graduating from Lewiston High School as a member of The National Honor Society. The couple married on Feb. 26, 1949, and had three children, Cheryl, Jeffrey and Lisa. They happily settled in Auburn to raise their family.

At the age of 16, she began working at New England Telephone and Telegraph and progressed from a Switchboard Operator to Management and dedicated many hours to help support her family. She was very proud of her 34-plus-year career and was a true Pioneer for women in her family and community.

This leadership started on the musical theater stage during her high school years as an award-winning actress. When her children grew older, she instilled her love of performance in her youngest daughter by hand sewing her figure skating costumes. She shared her interest in the arts with intricate needlepoint samplers and by filling her grandchildren’s closets with beautiful hand-knit sweaters.

She fondly recalled her love of being a “homemaker and mother” and took pride in her home, which she and her husband built themselves in the 1950s. She was proud of her son’s hand-planted Christmas tree farm and beamingly displayed a chosen tree each year. One of her favorite past-times was ironing, which she diligently maintained until her final days. Claire celebrated her French-Canadian heritage with a sharp sense of style. She enjoyed baking pies and lovingly shared them in each season.

She and her husband road-tripped the country in their retirement, supported the performing arts, and cherished the Maine coastline. She was often found with a cup of Red Rose tea and a classic novel in her garden. She shared her love of reading with her eldest daughter and they enjoyed discussing literature. Her children were ever present and happily by her side in her final years; their loving care a reassuring comfort that her compassion and strength had been embraced.

Claire had six grandchildren to whom she and her husband enthusiastically dedicated their later years. They never missed a birthday, sports game, performance, or school function. She instilled in them her Catholic faith, sense of commitment to others, and steadfast moral values. She is fondly remembered for her friendliness, sense of humor, and unwavering devotion to her husband and family. The memory of her ever-welcoming smile reminds them of the strength borne from a selfless dedication to loved ones.

Claire is the last of a family generation and leaves behind her three children, Cheryl A. Naum of Port Richey, Fla., Jeffrey L. Naum and wife Susan of Auburn and Lisa E. Naum of Portland; along with six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Claire C. Naum was lovingly laid to rest in a private ceremony on Sept. 22 at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. She is dearly missed by us all.

A very special thank you to The Highlands in Topsham, for their thoughtful and dedicated care of our mother; she truly touched the heart of anyone who met her.

Copy the Story Link