Claire "Cleo" (Moran) Oakes

Claire “Cleo” Moran Oakes, age 101, died peacefully at home on Thursday, May 22, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Formerly from Chinchilla, Pennsylvania, Cleo Moran, was born on November 17, 1923 to her parents, Joseph F. and Kathryn McDonnell Moran.  She was predeceased by 6 of her siblings: Joseph Moran, Kathleen (Kay) Jordan, Eleanor (Ellie) Mattimore, Margaret (Peg) McGurl, Mary Surgalla, John (Jack) Moran.  She is survived by her brother, Paul P. Moran of Buffalo, New York, the last of the 8 Moran siblings.

Cleo was the beloved wife of the late Calvin S. Oakes, also from Chinchilla. Married for over 50 years, Cleo and Cal moved to a neighborhood in New Castle, Delaware in 1951 where they lived and raised their 6 children.  For many years, she was a devoted volunteer for Our Lady of Fatima church and school where she also served as a substitute teacher for the Benedictine nuns there and at St. Catherine of Sienna school.  Later in life, she and her friends worked in retail sales at the iconic Strawbridge & Clothier store in Christiana Mall, Newark, Delaware.  

She was blessed with a long and beautiful life, an enduring faith in God, and a heart that overflowed with love, kindness and joy that she shared with all who knew and loved her. 

She was loved by a large, extended family and many dear friends, old and new, who supported and cared for her throughout her life, especially during the past few years.  We are especially thankful for the loving care Mom received from her team at Accent Care Hospice.  With gratitude always, she prayed unceasingly for everyone and thanked God for all her blessings.  We now celebrate and cherish the special gift she was to all of us.

Our Mom, the extraordinary matriarch of our family, is survived by 6 children: James (Zenaida) Oakes, Christine M. Oakes, Timothy (Lynda) Oakes, Calvin “Skip” Oakes, Patrick (Kay) Oakes, Michael (Lisa) Oakes; 12 grandchildren: Stephanie (Michael) Roach, Michelle (Tyler) Jones; Delali Oakes Adopley; Benjamin (Tammy) Oakes, Meghan Fruchtman; Joseph Oakes, Angela (Matt) Edgar; Sarah (Chet) Keith, Jennifer Oakes, Ryan (Sofia) Oakes; Vienna (Brian) Bell, Jacob (Kayla) Oakes; 24 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 11:00AM at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, Delaware, 19808, where family and friends may begin visiting at 10:00AM. Burial is private. 

In lieu of flowers, please say a prayer for Cleo or please consider making a contribution in Cleo’s name to the Ministry of Caring, 115 E. 14th Street Wilmington, DE 19801, https://www.ministryofcaring.org/ OR to a charity of your choice.

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