Claire Margaret Robidoux Sands

Claire, also affectionately known as Nana to some, passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 23 with loving family by her side at her son and daughter-in-law’s home in Boise.

Claire was born to Anna and Arthur Robidoux in Southbridge, Massachusetts on October 1, 1923. She was the eldest daughter of nine children. She grew up on the family farm in Charlton, Massachusetts. She attended grade school and high school in Charlton and began college before WWII interrupted her plans. Her fiancé, Roger, was drafted into service in 1942 and they decided to get married before he was shipped out. During the war, she worked at the American Optical factory in Southbridge in support of the war effort.

After the war, Claire and Roger started a family (Alan 1946, Jim 1951) and built a small motel in Charlton, MA, aptly named the Redwood Motel for its redwood siding. In 1957, they took a bold step, sold the motel and traveled the United States and Mexico to see the sites and potential places to move. After nearly buying a large cattle ranch outside of Guadalajara, Mexico, they decided it best to stay in the U.S., ultimately settling in San Diego.

Claire and Roger retired in 1988 and moved to Idaho to be closer to family. They built homes in Cascade, ID and Baja, CA. The Cascade house was a family project. They lived there for 11 years until making their home in Meridian, ID. Health issues with Roger in 2013 required a move to Touchmark, Meadow Lake Village in Meridian. Roger passed in 2014 and Claire continued to reside at Meadow Lake until January 2021 when her health declined.

She will be remembered for her strong love of family, quick wit, fearlessness, and sense of adventure. Those who knew her know she was extremely competitive. She loved to play cribbage (winning her last game just days before she passed), play golf, go fishing, and take occasional trips to Jackpot. She took great pride in her appearance and was always tastefully dressed.

Growing up during the Great Depression and enduring WWII, Claire developed a great sense of self-sacrifice and patriotism for the good of the nation. She was definitely one of what Tom Brokaw referred to as “The Greatest Generation.”

A remarkable person in so many ways. Competent in everything she did from being a great cook to being the CFO for Roger’s construction businesses. She was an incredible mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, loved by all. She touched so many lives, both family and dear friends. Incredibly selfless, always thinking and providing for others first. Her brother David once dubbed her “Mother Superior.”

Claire was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 72 years, Roger, sisters Evelyn and Dorothy, and brothers Arthur (Dede), Armand, and Alvin.

She leaves behind two sisters, Muriel Horansky and Mildred Silbaugh, and one brother, David Robidoux and brother-in-law Baron and sister-in-law Freya; sons and wives, Alan and Lois, and Jim and Loretta; grandchildren Mark (Mindy), Craig (Kristy), Myles (Jessica), Trevor (Aranza), Cameron (Karen), and Sarah; great grandchildren, Emily, Katy, Ashley, Bentley, Sharon, Blythe, Ainhoa, Hendrix, and Indigo; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, with special recognition to goddaughter Debbie and Jody (Vilaire) and Barbara.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Touchmark, St. Luke’s hospice, notably Rhea, Kathe, and Norm, and St. Luke’s Internal Medicine, especially Andrew Valerio and Mandy.
A memorial service will be held at Cloverdale Funeral Home, 1200 N Cloverdale Rd., Boise, ID 83713 Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Nature Conservancy of Idaho.