Margaret Clair

Margaret L. Clair (Hanway) 96, died peacefully in her home just prior to midnight on Friday, August 12, 2022, with her family by her side. Margaret was born on Friday, October 16, 1925, in Yorkshire, England on her aunt's living room floor as there were no midwives in Ireland at that time. Her parents were Joseph Hanway and Delia (Conneely) Hanway. Although born in Yorkshire, she grew up and attended school in Dublin, Ireland. She roller skated regularly at the local roller rink there. In 1945, Margaret met Charles Clair at a dancehall while he was service in the U.S. Army Air Corps. She came to the United States in 1946 and married Charles in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her wedding dress was made from his parachute material. After his discharge from the service, he worked for Westinghouse Air Arm Division and was later transferred to their Friendship Airport facility. They moved to Glen Burnie where they resided for 68 years and raised a family. Margaret and Charles took several trips including Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Africa, Ireland, Scotland and England
She was a parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Glen Burnie and was very involved with the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, the Rosary making guild, and the Catholic Daughters of America. She was also a member of the Pascal center and was an assistant exercise instructor for many years. After her children were grown, she got a little part time job as a waitress at the Flaming Duck and also La Continental Restaurant in Jessup, MD. She met many folks there.
Margaret loved Irish music and dancing, socializing, visiting family in Ireland, fishing, cooking, flowers, and playing cards, especially Pinochle with her church friends just to name a few. She was full of life, with great laughs and big smiles that and loved her family most of all. She will be greatly missed by so many.
Margaret is preceded by her parents, Joseph Hanway and Delia (Conneely) Hanway; Husband, Charles G. Clair and her siblings, Paddy Hanway, Joseph Hanway and Maureen Nowalk. Those left behind to cherish her memories are six children, Michael Clair (Nancy) of Saxis, Va; Patrick Clair (Tina) of Curtis Bay, Joseph Clair of Woodlawn, Kathleen Heitt of Glen Burnie, Janet Alibrandis (Vasilios) of Fallston and Barbara Clair of Brooklyn Park; sisters, Geraldine Wakefiled and Della Murphy both of Dublin, Ireland; and her two grandchildren, Matthew and Timothy Clair.

Family and friends may visit at the Kirkley Ruddick Funeral Home on Thursday, August 18, 2022, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 19, 2022 at 9:30 am at Christ the King Catholic Church. Internment will be at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery.