Obituary of Clara Elizabeth (Cosgrove) Gaffney

Clara "Clare" Cosgrove Gaffney Clare Elizabeth Gaffney of Westvale passed away peacefully at St. Camillus on March 15, 2016. She was 90. Clare was born in Utica, NY on June 12, 1925 to Anna (Brooks) and Jeremiah Cosgrove. Clare's primary education was in a one room schoolhouse, and she then graduated from Clinton HS in 1942. She went on to work at Utica Mutual Insurance Company. Clare married Richard J. Gaffney in 1951, and they moved to Syracuse in 1964. Clare sold real estate for a few years and was involved in the Town of Geddes Democratic Committee; at one time serving as a Democratic Committee Person. She was also an election inspector for many years. Clare was an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish for over 50 years. She spent several years as a volunteer religious education teacher and was a long time member of the church choir. Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Richard Gaffney; daughters, Anne Gaffney of Syracuse, and Maureen Gaffney (Walt Groginski) of North Syracuse; sons, Paul (Mary) of Moses Lake, Washington, James (Ann) of Onondaga Hill, and Brian (Debbie) of Dewitt; grandsons, Patrick, Daniel and Aiden Gaffney and Rick Proffitt; granddaughter, Grace Gaffney; great granddaughters, Regan Gaffney and Adrianna Proffitt; sister, Mary Cosgrove; brother, John (Nuala) Cosgrove, both of Clinton, NY and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10 am at St. Charles Church on Saturday, March 19. Calling hours will be held Friday, from 4 to 7pm at the Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Ave. Burial will be in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be sent to the St. Charles Food Pantry: 417 S. Orchard Rd., Syracuse, NY 13219. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Camillus for their care and support.