Obituary of Clare A. Reidy

Clare Ann Reidy Elmira: 74, died at her home Sunday, April 17, 2011. Clare is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas Reidy; brother Joseph P. Reidy; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Wilmot and Elizabeth Rauch; children, Margaret (Ira Handler), Thomas Jr. (Anne Marie), Kathleen Galvin (Michael), Patrick (Ann Milliken), Edward (Rita Ciccariello), and Daniel (Wendy Taylor). She is also survived by her grandchildren Kelly (Ryan), Ginevra (Carl), Mary, Emily, Jessica, John, Hannah, Phoebe, Elizabeth, Isobel, Ellen, Amanda, Patrick, Grace and John; as well as many nieces and nephews. Clare received her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Elmira College and did graduate work at SUNY Binghamton and Tufts University. She retired in 2004 as Professor of Humanities and Communications as well as Director of the College Theatre Program at Corning Community College. From 1998 until her death she served as a Master Teacher of Text, a dramaturg, and a director at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA. It would be impossible to number the students Clare mentored through the years as an artist and an educator. Her belief in the potential of each student and in the power of art to transform lives was borne out in her dedication to her students and colleagues. Her love of poetry, music, art, literature, and especially Shakespeare were her gifts to her children and grandchildren. "….and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." Friends are invited to Clare's Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church, Elmira. Private interment will take place at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests donations to Mount Savior Monastery, 231 Monastery Road, Pine City, NY 14871-9787.