She was born on Nov. 14, 1956 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, the daughter of Colin Francis and Anne Margaret (Cholock) MacNeil. She graduated from Holy Angels High School in Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1975 and then graduated from St. Louis University in St. Louis in 1984 with a bachelor’s of science in nursing.

She entered the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in 1975 and professed her first vows on Aug. 15, 1978 and made her final vows on Oct. 10, 1981. She celebrated her silver jubilee in 2000.

Sister M. Clare was assigned to Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton from 1984-1991, and again from 1999-2008. In 1991-1994 she was assigned to the Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis and again from 2008-2013. Sister M. Clare was also assigned to the McCarrick Care Center in Somerset, N.J. from 1995-1999 and to St. Francis Convent in Alton from 2002-2003.

She is survived by three sisters, Colleen Shaheen of Westmount, Nova Scotia, Canada, Linda Macleod of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, and Mary MacNeil of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada; and three nieces and a nephew in Canada.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held May 12 at the St. Francis Convent Hospital Chapel at Saint Anthony’s Health Center, with Father Thomas Donovan presiding. Burial was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Alton.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in Alton or to St. Anthony’s Health Center in Alton.

Staten-Fine Funeral Home in Alton was in charge of arrangements.