Pauline Iris Clair, 96, of Bainbridge, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025 in her home surrounded by family.
Pauline was born in Walton daughter to the late Herbert and Iris Elderkin on September 21, 1928.
She went to high school at Walton Central High School and graduated in 1946. She worked at various places throughout her life. Her primary occupation was a billing clerk at Scintilla/Bendix for many years. She also worked at the Bainbridge Guilford School cafeteria after her retirement from Bendix. She enjoyed flower gardening, quilting, walking, Wordle and most of all, gatherings with her beloved family.
Pauline is survived by 10 of her 11 children: Joanna (Clair) Long and husband Guy of Beaufort, South Carolina, Lynn (Clair) Whitaker of Beaufort, South Carolina, Gordon Clair of Sidney, Lorraine (Clair) Cummings and husband Richard of Ocean Isle, North Carolina, Kevin Clair and wife Nancy of Auburn, New Hampshire, Paula Clair and Keith DeVost of Unadilla, Karla (Clair) Spychalski of Bainbridge, Jerri (Clair) Jones and husband Ron of Lebanon, New York, Brian Clair of Bainbridge and Kelly (Clair) Whitney of Astor, Florida. Pauline was also grandmother to Cassandra (Cummings) Luckwell, Joshua, Ryan and Dylan Whitaker, April and Mandy, Nikola Spychalski, Danika and Cori Clair and Ethan Whitney. She was also great-grandmother to Myanna Dickey and Daniel Scannell III.
Her last surviving sibling is Phyllis (Elderkin) Howe of Walton. There are also many surviving nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 50 plus years and love of her life, Richard Clair, on Sept. 22, 2002. She was also predeceased by a son Gary Clair of Bainbridge, and siblings Barbara (Elderkin) Shields, Jacqueline (Elderkin) Baird and husband Dave, and John Elderkin and wife Betsy of Walton.
Memorial donations may be made to the Bainbridge Fire Department, 22 W. Main Street, Bainbridge, NY 13733.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Hospice of Chenango County and her thoughtful and caring neighbors, George Gould and Aric McKown and family.
At her request there will be no services. A family celebration of life will be held at a later date. Share condolences with the family online at www.landersfh.com
