Clare S. Harkins
Retired English teacher in New Providence, 88
Clare S. Harkins, 88, of Berkeley Heights, N.J., passed away at The Villa in Florham Park, N.J.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Church, 111 South St. in New Providence on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery.
Born in Elizabeth, N.J., the daughter of James and Eileen (Foster) Smith, Clare was raised in Linden, N.J., and graduated from the Academy of St. Elizabeth High School in Convent Station, N.J.
She also lived in New Providence, N.J., for many years before moving to Berkeley Heights in 2005.
Clare received her bachelor's degree in English from the College of St. Elizabeth and, later, her master's in education from Kean College in Union, N.J.
She was a middle school English teacher in New Providence for over 30 years until her retirement in 1996. A longtime parishioner at Our Lady of Peace, where she also taught English in her early years, Clare enjoyed reading and travel.
Clare was the beloved wife of 62 years to the late Edwin Harkins. She was the loving mother of the late James Harkins, Mary-Jo Cannone (Nicholas), and Marie Roberts (Cameron). She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Nicole Wegman (Nicholas), Michael Cannone, Teresa Cannone, Anna Cannone, Kelly Roberts, John Roberts, Brian Roberts, Elizabeth Harkins, Clare Harkins and Katherine Harkins; and great-grandchildren, Thomas Edward and Charles Wegman.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Clare's memory may be made to SAGE Eldercare Spend a Day Program, Attn: Development Office, 290 Broad St., Summit, N.J. 07901.