Claire Marie Walsh, commander, United States Navy retired, 96, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire passed away Oct. 11 surrounded by her family. She was born in Lawrence, the daughter of the late Daniel P. and Bertha (Renaud) Walsh.

Ms. Walsh attended Saint Augustine Elementary School and graduated from Saint Mary’s High School. She furthered her education in nursing at Saint John’s Nursing School and received her bachelors in nursing from the University of Colorado, and her masters in nursing from the Teachers College of Columbia University.

She was a World War II, Korea and Vietnam veteran and served for 26 years in the U.S. Navy. She was well known in Portsmouth after her retirement volunteering for Meals on Wheels and the Cancer Society transportation volunteers. She was a communicant of Corpus Christie Catholic Church. She loved her family, friends traveling and music. She was an avid vocalist and was a charter member of the Harbor Bells and sang with the Sounds of the Sea Coast.

She is survived by her sister in-law Kathleen Walsh of Wareham and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was the sister of the late Rita Foley, Col. Daniel Walsh, Arthur C. Walsh, Joan deKater and Raymond Walsh.

Her funeral was from the Wareham Village Funeral Home, 5 Center St., on Oct. 17. Interment followed in the Massachusetts National Cemetery. To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Wareham Village Funeral Home.