Claire Gelo

Claire Theresa Manfro Gelo, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her  home in Winchester, Virginia. Claire was born  in Glasco, NY on November 14,1927 to loving parents Joseph and Mary Manfro. Claire is predeceased  by her loving brother JJ Manfro. She was married to the love of her life Dominick Gelo for 54 wonderful years who sadly passed away in 2008.  They had three children of which their son Paul passed away in 2005 at the age of 49.

Claire graduated in 1942 from Grover Cleveland High School  in Queens NY where she enjoyed her childhood . Claire worked as an executive secretary for the Bank of Manhattan on Wall Street in 1946.She then went on to work as a model in the fashion industry in New York City.  Claire and Dom moved to Glasco, NY where they raised their children. Claire  obtained her teaching assistant certification from the University of the State of New York Education Department . She began working for the Saugerties Teachers Association for the state of New York from 1968 to 1991. After retirement they moved to sunny Florida for over 20 years.

Claire  and Dom were  devout Catholics and loved attending mass at the Dominican Sisters in Glasco, NY. They attended the Queen of Peace  Parish in Florida and Sacred Heart in Winchester Virginia. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife ,mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend to many and she will be forever missed.

Claire is survived by her daughters Trisha (spouse -Skip Fritz) and Janet  OReilly (Jim). Claire  has been blessed with grandchildren Adam (Mary),Christopher (Kristi) David (Deniel), Christine, (Robert) Mary (Janay), Elizabeth (Derek),Katie and Kaden and 12 beautiful great grandchildren. Nephews Jay, Robert, John, Mark and many wonderful cousins and friends.

Her Funeral Procession will form Saturday 9:15 am at the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home Inc., corner of John and Lafayette Sts. Thence to St. Joseph's RC Church where a 10:30 am Funeral Mass will be offered. Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Further obituary information and expressions of condolence may be shared at SeamonWilseyFuneralHome.com. 
 

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