Nicoletta “Claire” Besemer, 99 of Myrtle Beach, SC passed away peacefully on the evening of July 7th at home with family. 

Claire, a Brooklyn NY native born June 9, 1925, was the youngest and last remaining of seven siblings to Italian immigrant parents who instilled deep values of hard work, family and compassion.  She met the love of her life Howard A Besemer (d. 2007) and was married in 1955, moving to Valley Stream, NY where she spent the next 50 years, raised her family and had a long career as an office administrator with JC Penney.  Upon retirement, Claire took time to travel and focus her energy on beating friends and family in every conceivable card game.  Her warm, gentle and loving demeanor was a constant, but her dry wit and humor will always stand out in the memories of those she knew best.

Claire is a beloved mother survived by her two children, Jane Shirreffs Durkin and Howard J. Besemer of Myrtle Beach and stepchildren Raymond Besemer, Norman Besemer and Kathy Maggio (d. 2015).  She cherished her 16 grandchildren and is known affectionately as “Gigi” among her great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Claire’s life will be organized by her family.  In honor of her final wishes, Claire’s remains will be laid to rest alongside her late husband at Calverton National Cemetery in Wading River, NY.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Cremation Services Direct (843-651-1194) is serving the family.