Claire Morrison

Enveloped in the love of her family, Claire Falco Borelli Morrison, 96 years young, peacefully departed this life on December 12, 2020.

Claire was born on August 2, 1924 in Staten Island, NY, the daughter of Peter Paul Falco and Anna Maria Louisa Bundow. She graduated as salutatorian of her class at New Dorp High School. Though raised and educated in Staten Island with her eleven siblings, Claire's fondest memories were those of summers spent "up on the hill" in Middleburgh, NY with her family.

It was there that she first met as a child and later married her husband Bernard W. Borelli on June 30, 1951. It was also there that Claire and Bernard rebuilt and remodeled the house on Huntersland Road that would become their family home, and which remains with the family to this day. Claire and Bernard had two children, Bernard & Marion, and were building a life together until Bernard's tragic death in 1957.

On June 18, 1960, Claire married Willard Morrison and relocated to Niskayuna, NY. It was there they welcomed to the family daughters Willa and Sarah. Claire and Willard were together 37 years until his death in 1997. Claire remained in Niskayuna for the rest of her life.

Claire worked various jobs over her lifetime, including as a clerk for Shell Oil in New York City and Knolls Atomic Power Lab in Niskayuna, and as an insurance agent for C. W. Male in Niskayuna and Knox Insurance Agency in Albany, NY, from where she retired in 2004.

Claire was a person of uncommon kindness and overwhelming generosity who always put the needs of others, especially her family, before herself. She was loved by all who knew her and her passing leaves a large void in their lives.

Claire is survived by her children, Bernard L. (Cathy) Borelli, Marion (Kenneth) Leap, Willa (Charles) Reed and Sarah Morrison. Missing their grandmother are Kristin Brophy, Crystal (Seth) Ullman, Joseph Borelli, and Matthew, Daniel, and Karen Leap, step-grandchildren Charles and Cassandra Reed, as well as step-daughter Nancy Van Vranken, foster children Mary Lou Stahr and Helen David Kernahan, multiple generations of nieces and nephews, and many friends. She was pre-deceased by her infant daughter Claire, foster daughter Rosemary David, and her best friend of 57 years Ruth Squires.

The family of Claire Morrison wishes to thank Ingersoll Assisted Living, especially Annie (Cookie), Alesha and Zelda, for the care and companionship they provided Claire in the three years she was there, as well as the doctors and nurses at Ellis Hospital for their compassionate treatment of Claire in her last hours.

Funeral services will be private for the immediate family, but plans will be made for a celebration of Claire's life in Middleburgh during the summer of 2021. Internment at Huntersland Christian Cemetery in Middleburgh will occur at that time.

New Comer Cremations and Funerals in Colonie will be conducting funeral services, on whose website tributes and memorials to Claire may be posted. In lieu of flowers, donations in Claire's name may be made to The Regional Food Bank and The City Mission of Schenectady.