Claire M. Beaton

Claire M. (Guilbeault) (Menard) Beaton, a longtime resident of Dracut and most recently of Kittery, Maine, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on April 9, 2026, at the age of 89.

She was the beloved wife of William A. Beaton, with whom she shared 43 devoted years of marriage. Claire was previously married to Gerard O. Menard, who predeceased her in 1970.

Born in Lowell on April 9, 1937, Claire was the daughter of the late Cecile (Belisle) and Raymond Guilbeault. She graduated from Lowell Vocational High School with a degree in hairdressing and worked at Josef’s Hair Salon in Lowell. She later was employed in the cafeteria of the Dracut school system, a position that allowed her to remain closely involved in her children’s lives. Eventually she retired after 17 years of service as an inspector at Raytheon.

Claire proudly served her country as a member of the United States Naval Reserve, enlisting with the WAVES and serving honorably for eight years from 1955 to 1963.

Above all, Claire was a devoted wife and dedicated mother who loved spending time with her family.

In addition to her husband, Claire is survived by her three children, Steven Menard of Milford, NH, and his fiancée, Laura Crawford; Lynn Lamontagne of York, ME, and her husband, Gregg Lamontagne; and Susan Friberg of Eliot, ME, and her husband William Friberg. She is also survived by her husband’s children, Donna Friberg and her husband, John; William Beaton, Jr. and his wife, Patricia; Darlene Lemieux and her husband, David; and David Beaton and his wife, Elizabeth; as well as sister-in-law, Michele Guilbeault; nephews, Scott Guilbeault and Jason Guilbeault; and a niece, Andrea Marble. She is further survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; her first husband, Gerard O. Menard; and her loving brother, Norman R. Guilbeault.

Relatives and friends are invited to Claire’s Funeral Mass on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 10 AM at STE. MARGUERITE D’YOUVILLE CHURCH, 1340 Lakeview Avenue, Dracut. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Claire’s memory to the Amedisys Foundation, c/o Beacon Hospice, 25 New Hampshire Avenue, Suite 272, Portsmouth, NH 03801.