Claire Phillipo

OXFORD - Claire V. (Cusson) Phillipo, 86, died peacefully surrounded by friends and family at the Life Care Center of Auburn on August 2, 2011, after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, John R. Phillipo of Oxford. She is survived by four children, Robert J. Phillipo and his wife Paula of West Boylston, Steven M. Phillipo and his wife Diane of Norwich, CT, John R. Phillipo III and his wife Wendy of Sutton, and Donna M. O'Halloran and her husband Daniel of Oxford; a sister, Doris Desrosiers of Auburn; ten grandchildren, Amy, Cara, Jennifer, Jodi, Melissa, Lisa, Jason, Robert Jr., Laura and Justin; fourteen great grandchildren, Haley, Alana, Zachary, Anthony, Fenix, Gabriella, Aiden, Nathan, Jonas, Lorelei, Teagan, Milo, Benjamin, and Ryan; and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her son, Michael J. Phillipo; her daughter-in-law, Karen Phillipo; five brothers, Emile Cusson, Rene Cusson, Henry Cusson, Paul Cusson, and Edmund Cusson; and three sisters, Beatrice Montville, Florence MacMaster, and Lorena Barber. She was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Ferdinand and Clara (Contois) Cusson, and lived in Auburn before moving to Oxford in 1949. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1940. Mrs. Phillipo worked from home as a seamstress and cake decorator throughout her life. She was an active member of St. Roch's Church in Oxford, and was a member of St. Roch's Rosary Sodality and a CCD teacher many years ago. She was a Cub Scout den leader and a Girl Scout leader in Oxford, and attended the Oxford Senior Center. Mrs. Phillipo enjoyed line dancing, square dancing, roller skating and ice skating. She loved gardening, cooking, and baking cakes. She participated in the Adopt-A-Grandparent at the Chaffee School, and most of all enjoyed spending time with her family. A funeral will be held on Friday, August 5, 2011, from Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will follow at St. Roch's Cemetery, Oxford. Calling hours are Thursday, August 4, 2011, from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.