Claire Thomas Boinest

Nancy Claire Thomas Boinest, died peacefully on the morning of Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Roper Hospital after a long, courageous battle with cancer. During her fight, she never complained but always looked ahead to a day when she would be cancer free. Claire has won! The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Boinest III, are invited to attend her Funeral Service at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Highway. Burial will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, Monday evening at the funeral home. Born in Savannah, Georgia on August 23, 1961, she moved to Charleston in 1980 where she worked for the old South Carolina National Bank. It was through a bank co-worker that she met her husband and married in 1981. Claire worked for many years for State Farm and retired in 2012. She followed her passion and worked part time for Pet Helpers and volunteered at Animal Helpers Retail Store. Along the way, Claire has fostered many enduring friendships. This is evident from the outpouring of support the family has received during these last few days. Claire just seemed to be a magnet for friendship. 'Claire Bear' as she was known to so very many, was just the kind of gal who could bring people together and a good time was sure to follow. She loved being a mom, her yard, being on the boat, travelling, and just recently, becoming a grandmother to Wyatt. We will never stop telling Wyatt all about her and how much she loved him. Claire leaves behind her husband, Edward H. Boinest III; son, Edward H. (Chip) Boinest IV; daughter, Haley Smith Boinest Hughett (Joseph); grandson, Wyatt Reid Hughett; sister, Linda A. Thomas; brother, Michael L. Thomas; mother in law, Chesta A. Tiedemann; uncle, Bickell Thomas (Carol); aunt, Nancy Thomas; brothers in law, Scott (Karen), Alex (Lucia), and Richard Boinest. She is also survived by her nephews, Miles, Jimi, and Ladson Boinest,and nieces, Caroline and Lucy Boinest. She also leaves behind numerous cousins in South Carolina and Georgia, all of whom she deeply loved. She will also be missed (already is) by her 'boys' Kodi, Lukas and Baxley, and her granddogs MoMo and Neo. Woof! Claire was preceded in death by her parents, George Norton Thomas and Gloria Smith Overstreet; aunts, Jo Smith Fetzer, Caroline Brinson and Mary Frances Hollingsworth; uncles, Robert Thomas and Ward Brinson and her father in law, Edward H. (Ted) Boinest, Jr. In lieu of flowers, the family would respectfully request that donations be made in Claire's memory be made to Pet Helpers,1447 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, The Roper-St. Francis Cancer Center, 2085 Henry Tecklenburg Dr. Charleston, SC 29414, or to the internet site Caringbridge.org which was so valuable to Ed as he attempted to update everyone on Claire's journey.