LEWISTON — Claire Adelia Ayer set sail from d’Youville Pavilion in Lewiston on Oct. 3. Family and friends were there to see her off.

Claire was born in Hollis, April 28, 1937, daughter of Leon E. Redlon and Carolyn Baker Redlon. She attended Samuel D. Hanson High School and received her bachelor’s degree from Gorham State Teacher’s College in 1959.

Over several years, she worked toward and received her master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Southern Maine. She taught at the Hollis Elementary School and the Mallett School in Farmington.

Claire enjoyed a full, adventurous life which included painting, poetry, gardening, cooking, astronomy, photography, collecting rocks, sailing and much more. The essence of her spirit is expressed by this poem which was published in her high school yearbook:

In the Grand State of Maine

The song of the wind in the pine,

A winding country lane,

This heritage is mine,

In the grand state of Maine

The rolling hills of tan and green,

The monarch mountain’s reign,

All of these can be seen,

In the grand state of Maine.

The happiness of sun-filled days,

The snow and wind and rain,

Love and a simple life are mine,

In the grand state of Maine.

She is survived by her children, Brett Ward, Wendy Ward, Dennis Adams, Bonnie Bridgham, Christine Hmielski and Robert R. Ayer; her brothers, David Redlon and Mark Redlon and their families; Claire is also survived by her first husband, Gilbert A. Ward, father of Wendy Ward and Brett Ward.

Claire was predeceased by her second husband, Robert A. Aye.

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