Claire Farrell

Claire Diane (Fontana) Farrell passed away surrounded by her family and loved ones on Friday, April 12, 2024. Claire was born in Jersey City on October 21, 1937 and later resided in Iselin, NJ; Toms River, NJ; Clearwater, FL; and Tinton Falls, NJ.

Her family was her life. Claire is predeceased by her parents, Richard and Mildred Fontana, and her husband, William Farrell. Surviving are her siblings, Shirley Miller of Clearwater, FL and Richard Fontana and his wife, Eileen, of Jackson, NJ;  her children, Dennis Dowd and his wife, Loretta, of Iselin, NJ; James Dowd and his wife, Dawn, of Colonia, NJ; and Diane Conte and her husband, Chris, of Lincroft, NJ; her grandchildren, Kelly Dowd and her husband, Dave Harker; Katharine Dowd; Allison Petruzzelli; Brianna Dowd; Brett Petruzzelli; and Victoria Dowd; and her great-grandchildren, Ramona and Nolan Harker; and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who were like family.

Claire was full of life, love, and humor and had unending energy. She is best known for her incredible tap dancing, her sparkling blue eyes, and her ability to talk with people and make friends wherever she went. Her idea of a perfect day was sitting at the beach with her family. She loved going to plays, cooking for her family, and performing. She tap danced with the Happy Hoofers, performed on television during Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour, and choreographed and tap danced with Claire Farrell’s Dancers at Greenbriar Woodlands in Toms River, NJ for many years. She was a devoted Catholic and had a professional career at various companies, and retired after working many years at SeaLand.

A Catholic mass in memory of Claire will be held on Friday, April 19 in Tinton Falls, NJ at the Seabrook Village in the Town Square Auditorium at 11am. In lieu of flowers memorial donations would be greatly appreciated to the Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall Street, Eatontown NJ 07740 Web: https://monmouthcountyspca.org/ or Humane Society, 2960 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls NJ 07753  https://ahs.givecloud.co/give. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.

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