On Monday, August 1, 2022, Claire McHale, age 71, passed away suddenly due to a heart condition. She was surrounded by her immediate family and spent her final days vacationing in her favorite place, Walt Disney World.

Claire was born in Jersey City, NJ in 1951 to Cletus and Sara McHale (née Gallagher).  She was raised in Bayonne and was a graduate of Holy Family Academy, class of 1969. She went on to pursue a career in education, graduating from Jersey City State College and obtaining a masters degree as a reading specialist.

Claire spent 33 years as a language arts teacher and administrator for the Jersey City Public School System. A strong believer in the power of education, she dedicated her life to enriching her students through the joy of literacy. Ms. McHale will always be remembered for her loving heart and the ability to listen without judgement. Her kindness and compassion are among her greatest legacies.

After retirement Claire enjoyed spending her days in Oxford, NJ with her family and grandchildren Caitlin, James and Connor. She was always there to encourage and cheer them on and loved watching them grow. Reading together was one of her favorite past-times and her family will forever be grateful that she shared the gift of story.

Claire is survived by her daughter, Christina Lyon and son-in-law Joseph, her sister, Eileen Denver, her brothers, Cletus, Michael and Patrick, and her 14 nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents and her sisters, Bernadette and Mary. Claire will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, August 25th from 4-8 PM at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. A memorial service will be conducted at 10 AM on Friday, August 26th at Trinity United Methodist  Church, 213 Main Street, Hackettstown.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Progam, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in memory of Claire.