Claire Teresa Lutes

Claire Theresa Lutes passed away peacefully on February 14, 2022, 5 days shy of her 83rd birthday. Her legacy is one of love and devotion to family. Claire was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to Claire Ryan. She never really knew her father as he abandoned the family when Claire was around 2 years old. Claire always did well in school and was a hard worker. She began working at 14 to help support herself and her mother. Claire was proud of the fact that her employment helped her mother to afford a telephone for the household. Claire graduated from Woonsocket High School and went on to graduate from Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1961 with a Registered Nursing degree. Claire was President of her nursing school class until she was required to resign due to the fact that she was recently married and expecting her first child. Claire was a lifelong learner. She achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island in 1989, and later completed one year of credits towards a Master's Degree in Social Work. Claire worked in the nursing field for many years. She held various nursing positions from surgical and pediatric nursing, to obstetrics, psychiatric and chemical dependency nursing. Claire Lutes married John D. Lutes in 1960. They had four children, Scott, Eric, Kurt and Nancy. Due to the fact John had been previously married and divorced, Claire was threatened with ex-communication and was not eligible to be married in the Catholic Church due to the rules existing at that time. Despite the un-Christian attitude of orthodox religion, Claire was extremely spiritual and intuitive her entire life. She enjoyed astrology, Taro cards, gardening, taking care of animals, being near the ocean and a good fish and chips. But first and foremost, Claire was devoted to her family. Her happiest times were when she got to brag about the achievements of her children. Evidence of her devotion to her family was when her husband, John, became ill. She quit her job and cashed out her retirement savings in order to take care of him full- time. John passed away in 2001. In addition to many life long friends, Claire is survived by her son, Scott and his wife Pamela, of South Kingstown, her son, Eric of Narragansett, her son, Kurt of Randolph, Vt., and her only daughter, Nancy of Wyoming, RI. Finally, Claire is survived by "Pussoms", her faithful companion and cat Calling hours will be held Tuesday, February 22, 2022 from 4pm-6pm in Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield, RI 02879; followed by a funeral service at 6pm.