Claire Bloomer Flannery

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Claire Bloomer Flannery, daughter of the late Roland and Gertrude Mansfield Bloomer, died April 18, 2022 at the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence, Newburgh, NY. 

She was born at home on July 9, 1922 in the City of Newburgh. 

She was a lifelong parishioner of St. Patrick's Church, Newburgh. She was the co-owner of McGough Plumbing and Heating and previously worked as an Operator and Operator Supervisor for New York Bell Telephone for 25 years beginning in 1939. Claire lived nearly 100 years and was the oldest of eight children. She was also a Gold Star Widow. Claire married Robert G (Pop) VanVoorhis of Newburgh, in Wilmington, North Carolina, on the 9th of March, 1943. They had one child, Johnny VanVoorhis. She was widowed on the 4th of April 1945, when Pop heroically gave his life during the United States invasion of Okinawa, Japan. After World War II, Claire was a successful, single, working mother and homeowner. She later married another Pacific War veteran, John Flannery. They were married for nearly 60 years.  

She is survived by her sons; John Van Voorhis of Newburgh, Brian Flannery of Newburgh, and Sean Flannery (Christi) of Fayetteville, AR; her daughters, Claire Van den Briel (Vincent) of Liberty Township, OH, and Maureen Flannery of Newburgh; and her grandchildren: Justin Van Voorhis, Mary Flannery Jacob (Chris), Julien Van den Briel, and Patrick Flannery. She is also survived by her sister Elizabeth (Bette) Maher of Sylmar, CA, her sisters-in-law, Angie Bloomer and Marcella Bloomer of Newburgh and many nieces and nephews. She will be especially missed by her beloved niece, Susan Havens Trapani of Milton, NY. 

Claire was predeceased by husband John V. Flannery; her grandson, John Patrick Flannery, her daughter-in-law Janet VanVoorhis, her sister, Eleanor Havens of Newburgh, and husband, Howard (Hype); her brothers, William Bloomer of Newburgh, and wife, Josephine; John Bloomer of San Antonio, and wife, Leticia, Roland Bloomer, James Bloomer and Richard Bloomer of Newburgh.

Visitation for family and friends will take place, Sunday, April 24th from 2 to 5 p.m. at the White, Venuto & Morrill Funeral Home, 188 North Plank Rd., (Rt 32) Newburgh, NY. Funeral Mass will be offered 10 a.m. Monday, April 25th at St. Patrick's Church, 55 Grand Street, Newburgh. Entombment to follow at Cedar Hill Mausoleum. 

Donations to the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence in memory of Claire are encouraged. (https://hospiceoforange.com/donate-now/)

Arrangements are under the care of White, Venuto and Morrill Funeral and Cremation, 188 N. Plank Road, Newburgh, NY 12550.