Claire Collins McGinnes, 96, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away on June 15, 2024. In spite of her expressed desire to be remembered leaving the world kicking and screaming every inch of the way, she did in the end simmer down, and when she left, it was peacefully at home in the company of her loved ones. Claire was born in Delaware in 1927 to David and Dorothy Collins, and grew up in Brack-Ex. She graduated from A. I. DuPont High School. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree from Bryn Mawr College. Claire taught elementary school at H. J Krebs in Newport, DE, before leaving the workforce to start a family with her husband, F. Earl McGinnes, Jr. Claire was active in the community, serving as a Girl Scout Leader, home room mother, PTA member and officer, and social activist.
Following her divorce in 1974, she began the next chapters of her life when she returned to the workforce as an office worker with Miller’s Furniture in New Castle, DE. Shortly thereafter she went on to become a social worker in the foster care unit of Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families (DSCYF). She retired from DSCYF as the supervisor of foster care after more than 30 years of dedicated service. Claire was a voracious reader, a lover of animals, a huge fan of ice cream, cheesecake, and crossword puzzles, and a defender of the underdog. Claire was preceded in death by her parents and her former husband. She is survived by her daughters Mikie McGinnes (Harry Blackston) and Sharon Heath of Wilmington, DE, and Gail Quick of Richmond, VA; four grandchildren: Ron, David, and Melanie Heath of Wilmington, DE, and Kaitlin Quick of Greensboro, NC, and one great-grandson, Ronnie Heath III. She is also survived by a sister, Carole Toomey, of Annapolis, MD.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday August 17th from 10 o’clock to 11 o’clock am at McCrery and Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE, 19808. A celebration of Claire’s life will begin at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Claire’s memory to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 165 Airport Road, New Castle, DE, 19720.
